A terrifying incident was captured on video when a packed Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) due to an apparent engine fire just moments after takeoff.
On Friday, Delta Flight 446 took off from LAX, en route to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
However, shortly after departure, the aircraft encountered a serious engine issue that led to an emergency return.
In a stunning video captured by L.A. Flights on YouTube, visible flames can be seen coming from the left engine of the Boeing 767-400.
The shocking fire sent shockwaves through passengers and viewers alike.
The co-owner of the channel, Josh, can be heard expressing alarm as the fire engulfs the engine, shouting:
“WOAH, look at that! Woah, what’s going on? That’s not good guys!”
As the aircraft made its way back to LAX, emergency response vehicles surrounded the plane on the tarmac, ready to take action as soon as the plane landed.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the investigation into the matter is underway. According to a Delta spokesperson, the flight crew received an indication of an issue with the left engine, prompting them to return to LAX shortly after takeoff.
“Delta flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure following an indication of an issue with the aircraft’s left engine,” the airline said in a statement.
The company emphasized that the safety of customers and crew was its top priority and apologized for the disruption.
The flight had taken off at 1:23 p.m. and was safely back on the ground at 2:06 p.m., just 43 minutes later.
In all, nine crew members (two pilots and seven flight attendants) and 226 passengers were on board.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and everyone was able to safely exit the plane.
Delta confirmed that local firefighters and the airline’s maintenance team immediately inspected the aircraft after the incident.
Passengers were later transferred to another plane, ensuring that their travel plans, although delayed, would continue.
The airline’s statement also made it clear that all procedures were followed during the emergency:
“As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew, the flight crew followed procedures and safely returned to the gate.”
This incident highlights the fragility of air travel safety and the immediate action taken by airlines when faced with potentially life-threatening situations.
While the cause of the engine fire remains under investigation, it’s worth noting that the flight crew’s quick decision-making and adherence to safety protocols likely prevented a much worse outcome.
This event also serves as a stark reminder of the risks passengers face when they step aboard an aircraft, even on routine flights.
Delta’s immediate response and transparency are reassuring, but this incident raises questions about the continued safety and reliability of airline fleets as they continue to push to maximize schedules and reduce downtime.
With engine fires and other mechanical failures still a rare but real possibility, travelers are left to wonder whether current industry practices are truly doing enough to ensure the safest possible conditions for those flying.
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