Passengers cried as engine fails on Transatlantic flight

DELTA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 N808NW (MSN 591)

Passengers screamed, many cried, and most prayed as Delta Airlines flight DL127 en route from Madrid (MAD/LEMD) to New York (JFK/KJFK) glided into an emergency descent over the Atlantic Ocean on the 6th of July, following a reported engine failure.

The Airbus A330-300, halfway through its transatlantic crossing, was forced to divert to Lajes Air Base (TER/LPLA) on Terceira Island in the Azores. One passenger described hearing a "whizzing" sound moments after a sharp jolt shook the aircraft. Others noticed a burning smell. Flight attendants kept calm, but the cabin turned tense as the crew declared a Mayday.

The aircraft landed safely at the Portuguese military airport, where passengers were held for several hours due to limited customs capacity. One teenager traveling alone was reportedly cared for by a local hotelier who fed and housed them overnight-drawing comparisons to Gander's famed 9/11 hospitality.

A replacement Delta jet arrived the next morning. No injuries were reported.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Delta Airlines

Code: DL/DAL

Aircraft: Airbus A330-323

Registration: N805NW

Serial number: 552

Engines: 2 x PW PW4168A
First flew: 26/11/2003
Age: 21.9 Years