DCA25LA084

NTSB accident investigation · Boeing 757 · Atlanta, GA · January 10, 2025

Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal report
Date
January 10, 2025, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
Place
Atlanta, GA
Injuries
1 serious, 7 minor, 201 uninjured
Damage
Minor damage
Phase of flight
Standing
Aircraft
N589NWBoeing 757
Defining event
Standing: Evacuation
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 9, 2025
Report
Approved by Office Director
Investigation class
Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
NTSB office
Major Investigations Division
Parties
FAA
Case key
199530

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

Substantial injury to a passenger sustained during evacuation.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Aircraft capabilityAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Related operating infoBoeing 757-351: 1 caseAll aircraft: 57 casesProbable cause
Personnel issuesPersonnel issues › Task performance · PassengerBoeing 757-351: 1 caseAll aircraft: 137 casesProbable cause
Environmental issuesEnvironmental issues › Task environment · Effect on equipmentBoeing 757-351: 1 caseAll aircraft: 7 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

Delta Air Lines flight 2668, a Boeing 757-300, performed a rejected takeoff due to a failure of the number two (right) engine during takeoff from runway 9L at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). An emergency evacuation was initiated after the airplane stopped on the runway. One passenger sustained a serious injury, and seven passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation. The flight crew stated that after completing all required preflight briefings and checklists, they were pushed back from the gate and taxied to the Ramp 6 South de-ice pad. The aircraft received Type I and Type IV fluid treatments, but due to reaccumulated contaminants, the de-icing process had to be restarted. Following a second round of de-icing, both engines were shut down and inspected for ice. The de-ice crew confirmed the aircraft and engines were clear of contaminants, and the engines were restarted. The aircraft then taxied to Runway 9L and was cleared for takeoff. The crew initiated takeoff, and at around 100 knots, the captain observed a directional control issue and decided to abort the takeoff. The First Officer notified air traffic control (ATC), and the aircraft was brought to a stop, and the parking brake was set. A public announcement was made for the passengers to remain seated. After the airplane was stopped, the flight crew noted multiple engine indication and crew alerting system (EICAS) messages indicated a failure of the number two engine. The captain requested aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) assistance, and the flight crew initiated the engine failure checklist. During this time, an airport operations vehicle reported flames coming from the right engine, although there were no cockpit indications of an engine fire. Additionally, flight attendants were informed by passengers of a fire near the right engine. While the crew continued the engine shut down checklist, flight attendants contacted the cockpit to report the visible fire on the wing. The captain then initiated the evacuation checklist and called for an evacuation. The cabin evacuation procedures were executed by the flight attendants, and the passengers and crew exited using the emergency slides. After evacuating the airplane, the passengers were grouped on both sides of the aircraft and waited for buses to return them to the terminal. Eight passengers reported minor injuries, and two of those were transported to the hospital for further examination. One was treated and released, and the other was diagnosed with a compression fracture to one of their vertebrae.

Aircraft

Registration
N589NW
Reported as
Boeing 757 (351)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
32989
Built
2003
Airframe hours
74,356
Engines
P & W PW2040, 41,700 lbs thrust, turbo fanP & W PW2040, 41,700 lbs thrust, turbo fan
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Part 121
Operator
Delta Air Lines Inc
Registered owner
Delta Air Lines Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Transport
Last inspection
Continuous airworthiness · January 3, 2025
Destination
MSP · Minneapolis, MN
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
ATL · Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta Intl, runway 09L/27R, 12,390 × 150 ft, concrete
Equipment
ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
35
Injuries
None
Certificates
Airline transport, Flight instructor, Commercial
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
December 27, 2024
Seat
Left
Restraint
5-point
Flight hours
4,875 total · 459 in this make and model · 3,000 as pilot in command · 73 in the last 90 days · 35 in the last 30 days
Role
Co-pilot
Age
31
Injuries
None
Certificate
Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
December 6, 2024
Seat
Right
Restraint
5-point
Flight hours
4,826 total · 1,067 in this make and model · 950 as pilot in command · 189 in the last 90 days · 46 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
100° at 9 knots
Visibility
2 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
2,700 ft broken
Temperature
30 °F, dew point 28 °F
Altimeter
30.11 inHg
Observed at
KATL

Docket · 8

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2025, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.6 MB in all.