A Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta was forced to make an emergency landing at LAX after a sudden engine fire broke out shortly after takeoff on Friday.
The crew declared an emergency and returned to the airport, where firefighters were waiting to secure the landing. However, due to crew’s quick response and coordination with air traffic control, the plane landed safely, and all passengers and crew members on board were unharmed.
Delta Airlines engine caught fire mid-air
Boeing 767 declared an emergency
Minutes after takeoff, the pilots of a Delta Airlines Boeing 767 declared an emergency due to an engine anomaly and requested a priority return to LAX. According to Flightradar24, the plane ascended over the Pacific Ocean before circling over Downey and Paramount while carrying out emergency protocols. Emergency responders were quickly dispatched to meet the plane, and it landed safely back at LAX. Fire crews confirmed the flames had been extinguished, and fortunately, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew. The captain kept passengers informed and reassured during the emergency landing.
Delta Airlines issues statement after fire incident
“As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew, the flight crew followed procedures and safely returned to the gate,” Delta said in a statement. “We apologise to our customers for the delay in their travel plans.” The aircraft is a Boeing 767-400 with two pilots, seven flight attendants and 226 passengers. The flight landed safely and taxied to the gate under its own power, Delta said. All aboard got off the plane normally.
Aircraft was almost 25-year-old
The aircraft involved was a 24.6-year-old Boeing 767-432(ER), registered as N836MH. This model is typically used for transcontinental and international flights due to its long-range capabilities. Despite its age, the Boeing 767 has a reliable track record with Delta Air Lines and undergoes rigorous maintenance and inspection protocols to ensure safety.