A Delta Air Lines flight encountered a noticeable engine fire shortly after departing from California earlier this week. On July 18th, Delta Flight 446 took off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) but had to return about 20 minutes later, around 2:10 PM local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Footage from the YouTube channel LA Flight reveals flames coming from the left engine right after takeoff. In the video, one of the channel’s co-owners, Josh, shares his worries about the situation, exclaiming, “Wow, look at that! Wow, what’s going on? That’s not a good sign.” It’s really an intense moment.
The video also showcases emergency vehicles surrounding the plane as it taxied back to the tarmac. This Boeing 767-400 was headed for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) when it was compelled to return due to the fire incident. The FAA has begun an investigation.
Delta officials commented that the flight returned to LAX due to a warning regarding the left engine. It’s interesting to note that despite the panic, the airline’s spokesman emphasized that the flight crew adhered to standard procedures and successfully got everyone back safely. They stated, “Passenger and crew safety remains our number one priority.” They also apologized for any inconvenience caused to the travelers.
Flight data indicates that the aircraft had taken off at approximately 1:23 PM and landed back at LAX by 2:06 PM. Delta mentioned that there were nine crew members, including two pilots and seven flight attendants, along with 226 passengers on board. Thankfully, everyone exited the plane safely, and the passengers were moved to another aircraft.
Following the incident, local firefighters and Delta maintenance teams inspected the aircraft. However, there has yet to be any immediate response from Delta Air Lines when contacted for comments. It’s certainly a situation that could lead to some serious follow-up discussions about flight safety and emergency protocols.
