Summary
- A security card mix-up on a Delta Air Lines flight was recently discovered by a pilot of a distinct airline.
- Attention to detail is crucial as each aircraft model has specific emergency exit layouts that passengers must know.
- Similar incidents of incorrect safety cards have occurred on Delta flights.
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is investigating after a passenger reportedly discovered several safety cards on the improper aircraft. The passenger, a pilot from a distinct airline, allegedly told the flight’s captain after finding the cards.
The reported incident isn’t the primary time Delta has been accused of switching out safety cards on the improper aircraft. As required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), incorrect cards can lead airlines to ground their aircraft and be subject to regulatory violations.
737 on a 757
Karlene Petitt, a retired airline pilot, shared the event on X over the weekend, saying that a pilot from one other airline found 10 safety cards for a Boeing 737-800 while on a flight operated by a 757.
It’s unclear whether the pilot was on a 757-200 or 757-300 series, but Petitt said after the pilot informed the captain of the flight, he wasThe flight reportedly originated at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), but its destination is unknown. Petitt explained that the plane would have needed to be grounded at ATL unless Delta replaced the inaccurate placards with the right ones.
![A silhouette of an Airplane flying in the sky at sunset.](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/shutterstock_344696315.jpg)
Did You Know: Incorrect Safety Cards Can Cause Flight Delays
How a small piece of paper could cause big problems.
Easy Flying contacted Delta on Sunday for comment on the matter, and a spokesperson said the carrier was looking into the incident. It’s unclear when the flight occurred. Moreover, Easy Flying has not independently verified the alleged grounding.
Other similar mix-ups
The error is, unfortunately, not the primary time passengers have complained about finding the improper safety cards on a Delta flight. In a reply to Petitt’s post, one other X user said they found an incorrect card while on a long-haul flight.
they explained.
In a forum on Flyertalk, one person said they found safety cards for a 757-200 while on a 717-200 in 2018.
“Just an amusing commentary. Today on my morning flight all of the seat back safety cards were for a 757-200 despite the fact that we were flying a 717. Attention to detail is often a vital a part of any safety protocol.”
In that scenario, the person explained they noticed multiple rows of seats had the improper cards during a flight from Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Consequently, the person contacted Delta while enroute to PHX, and the airline was quick to reply.
they said.
Attention to detail
The proper safety card on each aircraft type is crucial, considering each has a selected variety of exits that passengers must concentrate on within the case of an emergency. In keeping with the FAA, safety cards also must be specific to the aircraft of the identical model if the safety-related procedures are different.
“When the safety-related elements of aircraft equipment are different, even throughout the same model of aircraft, the air carrier must provide safety information briefing cards specific to that aircraft. Merely labeling exits, liferafts, or other safety-related equipment with the sort and model of aircraft isn’t sufficient. Safety information briefing cards must show probably the most common method used to operate the emergency exits in an emergency.”
Delta’s 757-200 fleet perfectly explains why ground crews must pay closer attention to detail when replacing safety cards. There are five models of the variant with different amounts of emergency exits: the 75D, 75G, 75H, 75C, and 75C.
Photo: Dereje | Shutterstock
The 75D and 75H have a complete of 10 exits, including 4 over-wing window exits, while the 75G and 75C have eight exits, 4 on both sides. The 75C is reserved for the carrier’s charter operations.
![Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER (N834DN) taking off from Los Angeles International Airport.](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shutterstock_546196159.jpg)
Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER Diverts To Omaha After Captain Becomes Unwell
The flight continued to its final destination, but was delayed greater than six hours.