Los Angeles, CA – July 20, 2025 — A Delta Air Lines aircraft carrying 226 passengers and 9 crew members was forced to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after one of its engines caught fire shortly after takeoff, the airline confirmed.
The incident occurred on July 18, but details and footage were not released until July 20. The flight, Delta Air Lines Flight DL446, was en route from Los Angeles to Atlanta when the left engine of the Boeing 767 appeared to ignite mid-air.
“Flight DL446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure due to an issue with the aircraft’s left engine,” said a Delta spokesperson. “There is nothing more important than the safety of our customers and crew. Our pilots followed procedures and landed the aircraft safely. We sincerely apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel plans.”
Flames Visible from the Ground
A dramatic video taken from the ground captured the frightening moment as flames erupted from beneath the aircraft’s left engine during ascent, just as the landing gear was retracting.
“Oh my God, what is happening? This can’t be good,” exclaimed Josh, one of the bystanders who recorded the footage. The video has since circulated widely on social media, drawing both concern and praise for the pilots’ calm response.
Safe Landing After 40 Minutes in the Air
The plane circled briefly before returning to LAX and landing safely approximately 40 minutes after takeoff. The fire appeared to be extinguished by the time the aircraft touched down. Multiple fire trucks surrounded the Boeing 767 as it taxied along the runway.
All passengers were safely evacuated and rebooked onto alternate flights. No injuries have been reported.
Investigation Underway
Delta Air Lines confirmed that its maintenance teams and local fire authorities conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft following the incident. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the engine fire. As of now, no official explanation has been provided.
The Boeing 767 involved in the incident is a long-haul aircraft widely used for domestic and international routes. The incident is likely to prompt additional scrutiny of engine performance and inspection protocols.
Passengers expressed gratitude for the safe landing but described moments of panic and uncertainty aboard the flight as the crew prepared for the emergency return.
This marks another in a string of mid-air technical incidents in recent months, reigniting conversations about aviation safety and emergency response readiness.
More updates will follow as the FAA releases its findings.