HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Neighbors in Sandston said metal fragments fell from an aircraft and landed in their neighborhood Tuesday night. Witnesses said plane fragments were found on Jackson, McClellan, Union and Sedgwick Streets.
Troy Bell, spokesperson for nearby Richmond International Airport (RIC), said the Federal Aviation Administration was investigating the reports.
The FAA said Delta Air Lines 1198 departed Richmond and was headed to Atlanta when it was diverted due to possible engine problem. The plane landed safely at Dulles International Airport at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, according to the FAA.
“The FAA is investigating and cannot confirm that metal parts found by local businesses in Richmond came from the aircraft,” an FAA spokesperson said in a statement.
Bell said RIC did not receive any notification that anything was wrong with the aircraft.
Abigail Waldron, who lives in Sandston, said she believed she heard and saw the malfunctioning plane.
" heard the plane and it was coming in really low. Like it was really loud I thought it was going to hit the house,” Waldron explained. “It scared me and I looked out the window and there was this really loud boom and everything kind of shook. I was terrified the plane was going to crash.”
Delta said that 49 customers were on the McDonald-Douglas MD88 aircraft. A spokesperson released a statement that read:
“Delta apologizes to the customers of flight 1198 for the delay incurred when the crew elected to divert due to a potential maintenance issue. The safety of our customers and crew is always our top priority.”
The spokesperson said the customers boarded another plane that landed in Atlanta approximately three hours late.
This is a developing story. Witnesses can send news tips, photos, and video here.
