Delta flight diversion to Accra occurred after an oven fire aboard DL055, testing safety protocols and prompting swift contingency measures by the airline
Delta flight diversion to Accra was triggered when a fire broke out in the aircraft’s oven mid‑air, forcing Flight DL055 from Lagos to Atlanta to make an emergency landing in Ghana’s capital.
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The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the incident and underscored that safety protocols were correctly followed.
The flight departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, bound for Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta.
Soon after take‑off, crew detected smoke from the oven compartment and initiated fire control procedures.
Michael Achinugu, NCAA spokesperson, confirmed the fire was contained and that no lives were endangered.
Because the crew exceeded their allowable duty hours after the diversion, the journey could not continue immediately.
Delta acted swiftly: some passengers were rebooked on that night’s Accra–New York service, while others stayed overnight.
The resumed flight from Accra departed on 25 September around 12:00hrs.
To reduce passenger disruption, Delta cancelled its inbound Atlanta–Lagos flight scheduled for 25 September. Affected travellers were offered hotel stays and transport.
In addition, 23 passengers were rebooked via Air France, and others were placed on British Airways, KLM, and Lufthansa services, with remaining passengers slotted onto Delta’s service on 26 September at 11:40am.
The NCAA clarified that an earlier report of an Air France flight cancellation was erroneous; the service from Lagos remained scheduled to depart at 01:30hrs.
Achinugu, though attending meetings overseas, remained in contact to manage updates and reassure the public.
Aviation commentators praised how the Delta flight diversion to Accra was handled, noting that swift containment of the fire, strict adherence to crew duty rules, and execution of contingency plans reflect a robust safety culture.
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The NCAA reaffirmed its resolve to hold airlines operating in Nigeria to the highest safety and reliability standards, emphasising that though inconveniences occurred, passengers were ultimately accommodated following protocol.
