Delta Flight From Paris Drops Inflatable Slide In Milton Backyard

MILTON, MA — U.S. Rep. Steven Lynch is calling on the FAA to do something about flight paths to Logan Airport so that residents of Milton and surrounding communities do not have to "live in fear of debris falling from the sky" after a Milton backyard became the unlikely landing spot of an inflatable slide from a Delta Airlines flight from Paris to Logan Airport on Sunday. The FAA said in a statement that the pilot of the Boeing 767 reported hearing a loud noise as the aircraft was approaching Logan Airport shortly before noon, and that an inspection of the plane upon landing revealed that the right rear evacuation slide was missing.

While Lynch said in a statement he was relieved that no one was injured in Milton, and the plane landed without incident, he said the inflatable slide — which fell as a 100-pound compact bundle that crashed to the ground — could have caused great damage had it hit a person, animal or property.

"It does illustrate the vulnerability imposed on towns that lie beneath NextGen RNAV flight paths," Lynch said.

The congressman said he asked to meet with FAA officials, along with State Sen. Walter Timilty, to ask for an explanation of what happened and to urge for further review of flight paths that he said "have been plaguing Milton and nearby communities with relentless airplane noise and pollution for years."

The FAA said it is investigating the cause of the impromptu cargo drop, with Lynch saying he was told to expect a full report by the end of the week.