CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Detroit was forced to make an emergency landing in Charlotte on Thursday evening after smoke filled the cockpit, forcing the pilots to don oxygen masks mid-flight.
Delta flight DL337, operated by an Airbus A321 (registration N385DZ), departed Orlando International Airport (MCO) at 5:46 PM EDT on June 11, 2026. The flight was tracking normally on its northbound route to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and had reached its cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.
However, less than an hour into the journey, while flying over North Carolina, the flight crew encountered smoke in the cockpit.
The pilots immediately entered code “Squawk 7700” on the aircraft’s transponder, signaling a general emergency to air traffic control. Because of the smoke, the flight crew was forced to put on emergency oxygen masks while managing the aircraft and communicating with controllers.
Air traffic control quickly diverted the aircraft and vectored it toward Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
Full emergency response services were waiting on the ground as the Airbus lined up for an urgent approach. The plane landed safely on Charlotte’s runway 18C.
Emergency crews immediately met the aircraft on the tarmac to inspect the exterior and ensure the source of the smoke did not present an active fire hazard. Following a thorough inspection by first responders, the aircraft was cleared to taxi under its own power to a nearby gate, where passengers were able to deplane.
No injuries have been reported among the passengers or crew. Delta is working to arrange alternative travel plans for the stranded passengers, and the aircraft remains on the ground in Charlotte while maintenance teams investigate the cause of the smoke.
