Portion of Delta Air Lines Wing Flap Breaks Loose Midflight, Plane Lands Safely

(AUSTIN, TEXAS) A Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800 operating as Flight 1893 landed safely at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on August 19, 2025, after a section of its left wing flap broke loose during descent. The airline said all 68 people aboard—62 passengers and 6 crew—were unharmed. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened a formal investigation, and the aircraft was immediately withdrawn from service for inspection and repairs in Austin.

The flight left Orlando International Airport at 13:11 local time and touched down in Austin at 14:27, taxiing to the gate without outside assistance. Passengers noticed the damage while the jet descended, and a video recorded from a window seat showed the flap section dangling but still attached by its inboard hinge. That partial attachment helped limit further harm and kept control stable for landing, according to aviation analysts cited in early briefings.

Delta Air Lines said it apologized to customers and stressed that “nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers.” The airline said it is fully cooperating with The FAA. A post-flight inspection found the trailing edge of the left-hand wing flap was bent upward. The plane remains grounded in Austin while maintenance teams and investigators work through the checks.

Aircraft, component and operational context

• Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800
• Registration: N3740C
• Age: about 24.7 years
• Damaged component: lower section of the left-hand outer trailing edge flap — a critical surface used during takeoff and landing to add lift and lower landing speeds.

While the video looked alarming, pilots can land a 737 safely with reduced flaps if needed. The crew followed procedures to bring the aircraft in under control.

Safety investigation and technical context

The FAA’s review is focused on three main areas:
1. Maintenance records — recent inspections, parts history, and any prior repairs.
2. Possible material fatigue — wear consistent with an aging airframe.
3. Compliance with Boeing and Delta maintenance procedures for older aircraft.

Investigators will study recent inspections, parts history, and any prior issues involving the same flap assembly. As of August 21, 2025, officials have not announced any regulatory changes or wider actions for the 737-800 fleet.

“Post-flight inspection revealed the trailing edge of the left-hand wing flap was bent upward,” the FAA said. The aircraft was withdrawn from service pending repair.

Delta grounded the jet and kept it in Austin for deeper inspection—a standard step after damage to a flight control surface.

Possible implications and expert views

• Experts note this underscores pressure on high-stress parts (flaps, hinges, tracks), especially for airframes over two decades old.
• Airlines typically rotate parts based on intervals, inspections, and condition checks.
• The FAA may consider updated inspection intervals or extra checks if evidence points to a pattern across older 737s.
• VisaVerge.com reports no fleet-wide grounding has been ordered; any next steps will depend on findings from the damaged flap, maintenance logs, and metal testing.

For official updates, the FAA’s news page posts safety and investigation notices as they are released: https://www.faa.gov/news.

Impact for travelers and airlines

Passengers from Flight 1893 arrived without injuries. Delta offered apologies and support. While the airline has not disclosed specific customer remedies in this incident, similar cases often result in:
– Refunds
– Vouchers
– Rebooking assistance

Customer support and tracking:
– Delta Customer Support: 1-800-221-1212
– Travelers can also check trip status in the Delta app or at delta.com.

Events like this usually trigger a detailed review of maintenance practices within the airline and sometimes across the industry. For carriers with older Boeing 737-800 jets, increased attention may fall on:
– Flap assemblies and hinge brackets
– Track lubrication and wear
– Prior repairs documented for wing components
– Scheduling of heavy checks for aircraft with high cycle counts

Aviation safety analysts emphasize the role of crew training and design safety margins. Simulator training for control-surface issues, consistent checklist use, and steady approach management help explain why the Austin landing remained calm despite visible damage.

Regulators will compare this event with earlier control-surface incidents. If a shared cause emerges (for example, wear on a particular hinge, bracket, or skin panel), Boeing and the FAA could issue advisories or airworthiness directives requiring inspections or replacements within set timeframes. As of August 21, 2025, no new rules have been issued.

The FAA’s Safety Hotline: 1-866-TELL-FAA remains open for reports from maintenance workers, pilots, or passengers who believe they have safety information to share.

Key facts confirmed (as of August 21, 2025)

Next steps and what to watch

• Maintenance teams and FAA investigators will perform metal testing, hinge and track inspections, and log reviews to determine cause.
• If a premature part failure is found, manufacturers and airlines may adjust inspection intervals or issue new guidance.
• If maintenance was compliant but the part still failed, updated procedures could be recommended to detect wear earlier.

Delta says it is working with the FAA to find the cause and complete repairs. Passengers on Flight 1893 needing assistance can call Delta Customer Support: 1-800-221-1212. Official federal updates will be posted at https://www.faa.gov/news.

For now, the aircraft remains in Austin awaiting repairs and a close examination of a flap system most travelers never see up close. The incident is a reminder of aviation’s layered safety system: trained pilots, robust design margins, and procedures meant to protect passengers when a component does not behave as intended.