A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to Los Angeles International Airport after a visible engine fire shortly after takeoff earlier this week. Flight 446, bound for Atlanta, experienced an engine issue Friday afternoon which prompted the emergency landing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed the incident and mentions an investigation is underway, KTLA reported.
The emergency was declared when pilots noticed, indications of an engine fire, according to Fox News Digital. L.A. Flights, a YouTube channel, managed to capture alarming footage of the Boeing 767-400's left engine ablaze. The crew promptly coordinated a return to LAX, with Aviation A2Z noting that FLightradar24 data showed the aircraft circling back over the Downey and Paramount areas before landing.
A representative from Delta Air Lines issued an apology to affected passengers for the disruption and assured that safety protocols were followed, "As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew, the flight crew followed procedures and safely returned to the gate." They added, "We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel plans," as obtained by Fox News Digital. All 226 passengers and nine crew members aboard the flight disembarked normally after the aircraft safely touched down at around 2:10 p.m.
Passengers shared their experiences online, with one commenting on the L.A. Flights video, "I was on this flight, sitting in the middle aisle," and adding, "Everyone remained very calm, even if we were internally panicking. Very thankful to be on land now!" Another expressed appreciation for the crew's professionalism, "The flight crew was exceptional and calm the whole time. Kudos to all of them for the safe return of all on board," according to a statement in the Los Angeles Times.
The incident led to no injuries, and passengers were subsequently accommodated on alternative flights. Further details are expected as the FAA's investigation proceeds, and both local firefighters and Delta’s maintenance team inspected the plane following, the event. Delta Air Lines has yet to release additional information regarding the findings from those inspections.
