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The pilots quickly turned the aircraft around and landed it safely back at LAX. No injuries were reported
The video, now widely shared on social media, shows the aircraft ascending with flames clearly visible on one side. (Screengrab via X)
US-based carrier Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta was forced to make an emergency landing in Los Angeles after one of its engines caught fire shortly after take-off. The dramatic incident was caught on video, showing flames coming from the aircraft’s left engine mid-air.
Flight 446 had departed from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Friday. Not long after take-off, the Boeing 767-400 developed an engine issue. The pilots quickly turned the aircraft around and landed it safely back at LAX. No injuries were reported.
The video, now widely shared on social media, shows the aircraft ascending with flames clearly visible on one side. Minutes later, the plane is seen landing safely.
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson told the BBC that the flight returned to LAX as a precaution after receiving an alert about a possible issue with the left engine.
“Delta flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure following an indication of an issue with the aircraft’s left engine,” the spokesperson told the publication.
According to a report by Aviation A2Z, the aircraft had just taken off from LAX when the left engine caught fire. The flight crew immediately declared an emergency and asked for a return to the airport. Air Traffic Control (ATC) guided the plane back to LAX while alerting emergency services on the ground.
Flightradar24 tracking data shows that DL446 climbed out over the Pacific Ocean before turning back inland over the Downey and Paramount areas. This gave the pilots time to complete safety checks and prepare for landing. The aircraft maintained a steady altitude and speed throughout the manoeuvre.
This is not the first such incident for Delta this year.
In April, another Delta aircraft experienced an engine fire at Orlando International Airport. That flight — Delta Air Lines Flight 1213 — was preparing to depart for Atlanta when the fire broke out on the ramp.
The aircraft, an Airbus A330, was carrying 282 passengers, 10 flight attendants, and two pilots at the time. All passengers were evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.
Orlando airport’s rescue and firefighting teams responded quickly to the situation.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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