I have been trying to process everything that happened yesterday and I wanted to write about it. Syd and I were excited to get home after a great 2 week vacation in Alaska with my family. We had a direct red eye flight from Anchorage to Atlanta and were hoping sleep. After a lengthy line to check our luggage and get thru security we "thought" we were on our way. Everything was great boarding and the captain even said that we would be departing a little early and should have a good flight. As we taxi to the runway for takeoff we just sat there. After about 20 mins the captain said we were having "wing/flap" problems and that he felt it was nothing because they appeared to be functioning properly, but that we would have to return to the gate. Then we had a paperwork problem and then they did not add the proper amount of fuel(the pilot said he had asked for and was granted permission to fly faster). After a 3 hour delay and a lot of worrying ( I did not want to fly directly and was having quite a bit of anxiety about this particular flight) we were able to take off. So, it was approximately 10:45 pm Anchorage time. I had call the hubby to let him know we were delayed and would not make our connecting flight to come home and I would call once we were in ATL. Things seemed to be going good, Syd even commented to the flight attendant that it was a great flight so far. About 2:05 Seattle time I noticed that sparks were coming out of the engine. I quietly went and told the flight attendant what I saw. Several minutes later the engine looked like it had a torch coming from it. I turned around and told the attendant that the engine was on fire and they needed to do something. I looked to see where we were and what large city we were close to. We were traveling 630 mph and were at 35003 feet in the air.
The picture above was taken probably 7-12 mins after the fire had started and after the pilot turned off the engine. The pilot did tell us that we would have to make an emergency landing and would be touching down in Seattle. At first, they said it would be about 40 mins and then changed it to 20-25 mins. I texted my husband and my mom and told them what was happening and that Syd and I loved them all just in case we did not make it, hopefully the text would go through to them. Thankfully we were able to land safely with a ton of fire trucks, rescue squads, and emergency personal. I will say that the descend and landing were probably the best I have ever experienced. The pilot held the plane pretty steady and the touch down was very smooth. As soon as we touched down the entire plane started clapping and crying tears of relieve.
This is our plane from the gate at SecTac. You can see how the wing/engine is a different color.
Everyone was exhausted and were laying on the ground and in chairs trying to get some sleep. Poor Syd crawled under the table and laid down.
I have never been more thankful to be on the ground after this experience. It really hits home when you have to look your child in the eyes when they ask if we are going to die and tell them that you don't know but there is a very good chance you might.
The first thing I did as the plane touched down (it had not even stopped yet) was call my husband and tell him that we were ok just very scared.
Delta was great. The pilot came to speak to everyone after he looked at the engine and came in to leave. He said that it never alarmed that the plane was on fire. He said that they train for this type of thing but to experience it was another. He had tears in his eyes as he spoke to us.
Delta also put out blankets, pillows, and snacks. About 5:30-ish that morning they provided us with breakfast from McDonald's as we waited on a pilot, flight crew and plane to arrive to take us to Atlanta.
~April
