Delta's Boeing 767 Emergency Slide Issue: 33-year-old Plane Is Well Past Normal Active Age

The Delta Airlines fiasco, in which a Boeing 767's emergency slide detached from the aircraft's body after takeoff, was discovered to be 33 years old and still in operation.

This reportedly exceeds the normal age for an active airplane to be in service, with the Boeing commercial airplane posing massive risks to passengers and those on the surface.

Additionally, Boeing has long stopped delivering the 767 commercial airplanes, but the US military still uses them.

Delta's Boeing 767 Emergency Slide Issue: Plane is 33 Years Old

Last week, Delta's Flight 520, which uses the Boeing 767 commercial aircraft, saw its emergency slide detach from the body as it took off from the JFK Airport in New York, The New York Post reported.

It was later revealed from information via Airfleets.net that this specific flight used a 33-year-old Boeing 767 plane, way past the recommended use of the passenger plane.

The report claimed that an expert and commercial pilot, Scott Miller, said a commercial airplane's average lifespan is only around 20 to 25 years.

That means Delta still used this particular Boeing 767 eight to 13 years after its typical lifespan, which could be dangerous for passengers and people on the ground.

Past the Normal Active Age But Still Under Operation

Miller revealed that it is likely that Delta's incident was due to latch failure on the old Boeing 767 aircraft, with the emergency slide only engaging when the emergency exit door was open.

However, Miller declined to account for the 767's age to be the reason behind this problem.

That being said, Boeing is clear about the issues as it had no hands in operating the old aircraft past its normal age.

Delta and Boeing's Aircraft Issues

Delta Airlines has long been in the game, and the company is known for its various issues from passengers regarding delayed flights because of system issues, and many more.

That being said, it has experienced its fair share of incidents and issues in the past, with various harrowing incidents that led to passengers being maliciously kicked off flights.

However, earlier this year, Boeing was also placed under a microscope after the Federal Aviation Authority launched an investigation regarding its aircraft, particularly the 737 Max.

It was revealed that Boeing overlooked several safety protocols and quality assurance during the production of the 737 Max after an Alaska Airlines flight saw a door panel detach mid-flight.

Delta and Boeing's operations are now facing yet more scrutiny after the New York incident, in which the company's emergency slide slipped away after takeoff.

However, this is on the airline company's hands as they have operated the same 767 commercial airplanes for 33 years already, eight to 13 years longer than the normal active age recommended for a plane.