Takeoff halted on Delta flight to Detroit as smoke is seen pouring from engine

DETROIT (WJBK) - Two of our coworkers were in California when some sort of malfunction with the plane abruptly halted takeoff. 

Sports director Dan Miller, sports reporter Jennifer Hammond and photojournalist Jeff Holloway were covering the Lions' loss to the 49ers. Their plane, Delta flight 1658, was in the process of taking off when the pilot suddenly slammed on the brakes. 

They looked out the window and saw a massive amount of smoke coming from one of the engines. 

The plane was towed back to the gate. 

Officials with Delta released this statement: 

"The crew of Delta flight 1658 from San Francisco to Detroit elected to suspend the takeoff out of an abundance of caution due to an indication of an issue with one of the Boeing 767's engines. The aircraft returned to the terminal where customers have been accommodated on an alternate aircraft, which is expected to redepart shortly. The safety of Delta's customers and crew is always our top priority and Delta maintenance technicians are evaluating the original aircraft." 

We're told the plane was a Boeing 767 with 229 customers on board.