Terrifying moment Delta Airlines’ Boeing 717 makes emergency landing in North Carolina

New footage has shown the terrifying moment a Delta Airlines Boeing 717 made an emergency landing in North Carolina after its front landing gear failed to deploy.  

The plane landed nose-first with almost 100 passengers on board on Wednesday morning. The clip shows people inside the aircraft in brace positions before the plane eventually hit the ground. 

The Delta flight 1092 had taken off from Atlanta at 7.25am and was scheduled to land at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Wednesday morning.

Shocking pictures show the plane leaning forward onto its nose with its inflatable evacuation slides deployed, as dozens of emergency service scrambled to help passengers and crew members.

One passenger, recording the ordeal, said: ‘It’s not bad at all,’ before a woman gripping the seat in front of her responds: ‘Where’s the wheel?’ 

The Delta flight 1092, a Boeing 717, had taken off from Atlanta at 7.25am and was scheduled to land at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Wednesday morning

The relieved holidaymakers were then recorded walking off the aircraft, taking images of the downwards-tilting nose in disbelief.  

Miraculously, none of the 96 passengers or five Delta employees were injured in the incident. 

The plane managed to land with its nose gear in the ‘up’ position, and come to a safe stop on the runway. An investigation into what caused the malfunction has begun. 

Airline officials confirmed that staff were aware of the malfunction as they prepared for landing, and began to climb again before the jet circled a few times and finally managing to land.

In a statement, Delta said: ‘Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people.

‘While this is a rare occurrence, Delta flight crews train extensively to safely manage through many scenarios and flight 1092 landed safely without reported injuries. 

‘Our next focus is to take care of our customers on this flight, including retrieving their bags and seeing them to their final destination.’

The pilot told the tower at Charlotte Douglas that 104 people were on board the plane.

The runway the plane landed on was closed Wednesday until the aircraft could be moved to a safer location

As of 10:15 a.m., there were 72 delays and 21 cancellations at Charlotte Douglas caused by the malfunctioning plane landing

Passengers were asked to get into the brace position as staff reiterated safety information, but told WSOC-TV that they had a ‘smooth’ landing

An emergency slide was deployed to get passengers off the plane and onto the tarmac safely 

Passengers were asked to get into the brace position as staff reiterated safety information, but told WSOC-TV that they had a ‘smooth’ landing. 

One said: ‘The crew told us there was an issue with the landing gear and instructed us to go over safety information.

‘We came in low once and then climbed again. The second time had us brace but the landing was smooth. No jarring or even loud noises. 

‘We were in the back so that may have been why. Everyone evacuated via slides. No injuries as far as I know. Crew and pilots were wonderful!’

The runway the plane landed on was closed Wednesday until the aircraft could be moved to a safer location.

As of 10:15 a.m., there were 72 delays and 21 cancellations at Charlotte Douglas caused by the malfunctioning plane landing.