A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 experienced an engine fire shortly after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Saturday. The incident has raised fresh concerns about air safety just weeks after a deadly Air India Boeing 787 crash.
The incident happened around 2 p.m. when flames were seen coming from one of the aircraft’s engines. Video footage shared on social media platform X showed the fire erupting shortly after takeoff.
According to aviation tracker Flightradar24, the plane involved was a 24-year-old Boeing 767-432 (ER) operating as Flight DAL446 from Los Angeles to Atlanta. The aircraft made an emergency return to LAX and landed safely minutes later.
Delta confirmed that the plane had 226 passengers and nine crew members on board. The airline told local media outlet ABC 7 that the issue involved the plane’s left engine. All passengers and crew were unharmed.
So far, Delta and aviation authorities have not confirmed the cause of the engine fire. It is still unclear whether it was due to a bird strike or a mechanical failure.
This latest incident comes at a time of heightened public concern over aviation safety, following the recent crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which remains fresh in the public’s memory.
An investigation into the Delta flight incident is expected.
