A Delta Air Lines flight heading to Atlanta had to return to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Friday after one of its engines caught fire just after take-off.
Flames Seen Mid-Air
The incident involved Flight DL446, a Boeing 767-400, which had recently taken off from LAX when it experienced engine trouble. A dramatic video shared online showed flames bursting from the plane’s left engine while it was still in the air. Despite the alarming sight, the pilots managed to land the aircraft safely, and no one on board was hurt.
Boeing 767 of Delta Inbound for LAX.Engine caught fire around 12 hours ago. pic.twitter.com/58MOWw9hnm
— Vikrant (@Vikspeaks1) July 19, 2025
Pilots Declared Emergency Immediately
After noticing the issue, the flight crew quickly declared an emergency. They decided to turn back and return to the airport. A Delta spokesperson explained the situation to the BBC, saying,
“Delta flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure following an indication of an issue with the aircraft’s left engine.”
Air Traffic Control Helped Guide the Return
As reported by aviation website Aviation A2Z, the plane had just started climbing when the engine caught fire. The crew informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the emergency. ATC then helped guide the aircraft back to LAX and alerted emergency teams on the ground to prepare for the landing.
Flight Tracking Shows Controlled Descent
Data from Flightradar24 shows that the plane first climbed out over the Pacific Ocean, then circled back over Downey and Paramount areas before returning. This gave the pilots time to carry out safety checks. During the turn-back, the aircraft maintained a steady altitude and speed, indicating a controlled and professional response from the crew.
Not the First Engine Fire This Year
This is the second engine fire involving a Delta aircraft in 2024. Back in April, Delta Flight 1213 suffered a similar issue at Orlando International Airport. That time, the fire occurred while the plane was still on the ground preparing to depart. The fire was contained on the ramp, and no one was injured.
