WASHINGTON – The emergency exit slide of a Delta Airlines plane fell off after the jet took off from New York en route to Los Angeles on April 26.

Delta said that the crew on the flight, which had 183 people on board, declared an emergency and returned to John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, and that it was “supporting retrieval efforts”.

“As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, Delta flight crews enacted their extensive training and followed procedures to return to JFK,” the airline said.

Delta added that the Boeing 767 aircraft, which will be “thoroughly” evaluated, has been removed from service. It said it will cooperate in investigations.

The incident is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the agency. REUTERS