Delta Flight 1708 Pilots Halt Takeoff in Huntsville Over Engine Smoke

ATLANTA— On August 29, 2025, Delta Air Lines (DL) Flight 1708 had to abort its scheduled takeoff from Huntsville International Airport (HSV) when smoke was detected in one of its engines.

The incident unfolded around 10:55 a.m., leading the aircraft to return to the gate. All 114 passengers and five crew members safely disembarked following the event. The flight was originally headed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Delta Engine Issue Halts Takeoff

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that Delta pilots alerted the crew to an engine issue just before departure.

Following established safety protocols, the crew promptly halted the takeoff at a reduced speed, prioritizing the well-being of passengers.

In a statement, Delta Air Lines confirmed the incidents, ensuring that the aircraft returned to the gate safely. They expressed their apologies for the disturbances faced by their customers.

Flight tracking data revealed that Flight 1708 eventually took off from Huntsville to Atlanta later that afternoon, shortly before 5 p.m. It’s unclear whether the same aircraft continued for the rescheduled flight.

Passenger Impact and Response

Although the aborted takeoff led to a significant delay, Delta staff at Huntsville International Airport (HSV) were diligent in assisting affected travelers.

Passengers were either reboarded once the aircraft was cleared or moved to an alternative plane for their journey to Atlanta.

A Delta spokesperson confirmed that all 119 individuals on board—114 passengers and five crew—were unharmed. The airline reaffirmed its dedication to passenger safety and thanked customers for their understanding during this unexpected delay.

FAA Investigation Underway

The FAA is investigating the incident to uncover the cause of the engine smoke reported.

Such investigations are standard procedure when there are irregularities with an aircraft during critical flight phases like takeoff.

Even though no injuries were reported, this event underscores the essential nature of crew training and the readiness protocols established throughout the aviation sector. The FAA and Delta Air Lines are expected to examine maintenance and operational records during their inquiry.

Similar Incident

On July 28, 2025, Delta Air Lines (DL) flight DL245 from Vincenzo Bellini Catania Airport (CTA) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) was also forced to abort takeoff twice.

The Boeing 767-300ER operating the flight remained on the ground at CTA after both attempts failed, leading the airline to arrange for an alternate aircraft to take stranded passengers to JFK.

Technical Issue Halts Departure

FlightRadar24 (FR24) indicated that the transatlantic flight, scheduled for a departure at 08:55 local time, was to arrive at JFK at 13:15 local time. The pilots tried to take off from Runway 26, but technical indications prompted them to reject the takeoff at low speed.

A second attempt from Runway 08 encountered the same issue, leading to another aborted takeoff. The crew taxied back to the gate, where the flight was ultimately canceled for the day.

Reports suggested that a non-essential system on the Boeing 767 may have contributed to the issue, although no official details have been released. Some aviation experts noted that technical resets might be attempted when dealing with aging aircraft before making a new departure attempt.

Aircraft Details and Registration

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 767-300ER registered as N180DN. This jet, delivered over 30 years ago, utilizes Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines.

After the aborted takeoff attempts, the aircraft remained grounded in Catania for a full day before resuming scheduled service on July 29, 2025, once again as DL245.

Delta Air Lines canceled the flight on July 28 but provided recourse for stranded passengers.

A substitute Boeing 767, registered as N190DN, was sent to Catania and operated a special service, DL9895, on July 29, 2025, effectively minimizing the disruption caused by the cancellation.