Delta's Boeing 767 suffers mid-air engine fire after takeoff, lands safely at Los Angeles airport

Moments after take-off from Los Angeles International Airport, the left engine of Delta Flight DL446, a Boeing 767‑400 caught fire, prompting the pilots to declare an emergency and turn back to Los Angeles airport (LAX).

The crew, responding promptly to a fire alert, landed without any injuries, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launching an investigation into the matter.

The flight, which took off at 11:15 am local time, had to turn around within minutes of departure. Emergency response teams were deployed immediately, and the plane landed safely back at LAX around 11:45 am.

All passengers and crew were evacuated without injury.Ground video captured the alarming scene, showing flames shooting from the left engine during ascent over the city.

Air Traffic Control guided the aircraft to circle safely over the Pacific before lining up for an instrument landing on Runway 25L.

Fire crews were ready on the tarmac and confirmed the blaze was extinguished upon landing. All 240 passengers and crew exited without injury. The runway was closed briefly for emergency response, but operations resumed shortly after.

In a statement, Delta Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that the Boeing 767 experienced a mechanical issue involving one of its engines.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the aircraft returned to LAX and landed safely,” the airline said. The FAA has opened a formal investigation into the incident.

This marks Delta’s second engine fire episode in 2025, raising questions about potential mechanical or maintenance issues in its aging fleet—the aircraft in question is nearly 25 years old and powered by General Electric CF6 engines.

The incident has drawn renewed attention to Boeing’s safety record, especially in light of recent controversies and crashes involving various models, including the Boeing 737 Max and the ongoing Air India Dreamliner probe in Ahmedabad.

While the Boeing 767 has had a relatively stable safety history, aviation experts suggest that even isolated incidents like these highlight the need for rigorous engine inspections and fleet maintenance, particularly in older aircraft.

No official cause has yet been determined, but early assessments suggest a possible engine malfunction. The airline has assured passengers that their safety remains the top priority and that a thorough review of the aircraft’s systems will be conducted.