A Delta Air Lines flight (registration N836MH) experienced a mid-air emergency shortly after taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The Boeing 767-400’s left engine caught fire while the aircraft was en route to Atlanta.
The flight crew detected the issue and promptly declared an emergency. Air Traffic Control guided the plane back to LAX, where it landed safely. Fortunately, there were no injuries among the passengers or crew, and the fire was extinguished upon landing by the fire crews. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into the incident.
Boeing 767 catches FIRE MID-AIR
Delta plane makes EMERGENCY landing at Los Angeles International Airport
Video shows engine in FLAMES pic.twitter.com/A7SqLS0wym
— RT (@RT_com) July 19, 2025A video shared by RT India showed flames coming from the left engine of the aircraft during mid-flight. The captain informed the passengers about the engine fire and stated that fire crews would check to ensure it was extinguished upon landing. A spokesperson for Delta told the BBC, “Delta Flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure due to an indication of an issue with the aircraft’s left engine.” Fortunately, all passengers and crew evacuated safely.
The FAA has launched an investigation into the cause of the incident, specifically examining the engine of the Boeing 767-400. This event adds to the challenges Boeing is currently facing, including recent engine problems with other models. Delta, which operates a fleet of Boeing aircraft, is fully cooperating with the investigators.
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta made an emergency landing Friday at LAX after a reported engine fire, officials said.
The Boeing 767 engine caught fire shortly after takeoff around 2 p.m. Video from the ground captured the flames coming out from one of the engines.… pic.twitter.com/fm8ilJtzrk
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) July 19, 2025Passengers reported hearing strange noises before the captain announced an emergency. The crew managed the situation calmly, ensuring a safe return to port. Delta rebooked passengers on later flights and provided accommodations as needed.
Aviation safety experts praise the quick response, noting modern aircraft’s redundancy systems minimise risks.
