Delta Boeing 767 Pilots Rejects Takeoff at New York JFK

A Delta Air Lines (DL) Boeing 767-400 departing New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) aborted its takeoff after the flight crew detected an abnormality during the departure roll.

What initially appeared to be either a blown tire or compressor stall quickly escalated after another aircraft reported flames from the jet’s left engine. Emergency responders subsequently discovered a significant fuel leak, forcing the aircraft to remain on the runway before being towed back to the terminal.

Loud Bang Forces Crew to Abort Departure

The incident occurred on June 29 as Delta Flight DL28 accelerated for departure from runway 13R at JFK.

Operating the service was a Boeing 767-400ER, registered N831MH, carrying 232 passengers and 12 crew members to Nice, France.

Shortly after beginning the takeoff roll, the pilots experienced what they described as a sudden surge accompanied by a loud popping noise. Unsure whether the source was a tire failure or an engine compressor stall, the crew immediately rejected the takeoff and advised air traffic controllers they were stopping on the runway.

Controllers responded by dispatching airport rescue vehicles while temporarily suspending runway operations. Here’s a breakdown of the conversations:

Following Aircraft Reports Flames

While emergency vehicles were en route, another flight waiting behind Delta 28 informed controllers that flames had briefly emerged from the aircraft’s left engine.

Despite the report, the Delta crew confirmed both engines remained operational and elected to hold their position with the parking brake applied while firefighters carried out an external inspection.

The initial inspection found no active fire. However, rescue personnel quickly noticed fluid collecting beneath the aircraft’s No. 1 engine.

Fuel Leak Confirmed During Inspection

Emergency responders initially informed the pilots that liquid was leaking from the left engine, although it was not immediately clear whether it was fuel or oil.

The flight crew advised they were also receiving an indication that the left engine’s thrust reverser had failed to fully stow following the rejected takeoff.

As firefighters moved closer, they confirmed the leak was substantial and detected a strong smell of jet fuel. Acting on those reports, the pilots shut down the left engine to prevent further leakage.

A short time later, emergency crews confirmed the flow had stopped.

Aircraft Unable to Taxi Back

After the leak appeared contained, Delta requested permission to taxi back to the terminal using the remaining engine.

Air traffic control, meanwhile, kept the aircraft on runway 13R while airport crews prepared to clean spilled fuel. Since JFK was simultaneously changing its active runway configuration, controllers decided leaving the aircraft on the departure runway would minimize further operational disruption.

The airport transitioned arrivals and departures to runway 22 during the response.

Although the crew attempted to move the aircraft, the thrust reverser remained locked in the deployed position, preventing the Boeing 767 from taxiing safely under its own power.

Unable to resolve the malfunction, the pilots requested a tug, and the aircraft was ultimately towed back to the gate.

Ground personnel later confirmed the spilled liquid on the runway was fuel before completing cleanup operations.

Air Traffic Control Audio Reveals Crew Response

Radio communications from the incident provide insight into how the situation unfolded.

After informing Kennedy Tower they were rejecting the takeoff, the pilots explained they had experienced strong acceleration on one side followed by a loud pop, leading them to suspect either a tire failure or compressor stall.

Moments later, the crew of another aircraft advised controllers they had observed flames coming from Delta’s left engine.

As rescue personnel inspected the aircraft, they informed the cockpit that fuel appeared to be leaking rapidly from the No. 1 engine. Although cockpit indications did not immediately confirm a fuel leak, the crew relied on reports from firefighters before shutting down the engine.

When firefighters later reported the leak had ceased, Delta attempted to taxi clear of the runway. However, the crew soon advised ground control that the thrust reverser could not be retracted, making a tow back to the terminal necessary.

Flight Resumed After Aircraft Change

Delta Air Lines later confirmed that an engine-related issue caused the rejected takeoff.

The temporary runway closure disrupted airport operations, with FlightAware showing approximately 200 delayed flights at JFK that day. According to The Travel, around 40 of those delays involved Delta services.

Passengers on Flight DL28 were transferred to another Boeing 767-400ER, registered N828MH, which departed for Nice roughly five and a half hours later.

The original aircraft, N831MH, remained on the ground for inspection before returning to commercial service approximately 30 hours after the incident.