A Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta made an emergency return to LAX on July 18 after an engine fire forced the pilots to declare an emergency shortly after takeoff.
Flight 446 had just departed Los Angeles International Airport when the crew detected signs of a fire in the left engine, ABC News reported. They immediately contacted air traffic control and requested a return to the airport. Emergency responders from Los Angeles World Airports were on standby as the Boeing 767 circled back toward the runway.
Video streamed live by the aviation channel LA Flights captured the aircraft’s return, including a shot of flames coming from the engine as it maneuvered over the Downey and Paramount areas. The pilots kept the aircraft steady, buying time to complete emergency checklists before landing.
On the ground, emergency vehicles met the aircraft and confirmed the fire was out before towing it away for inspection. The passengers heard the captain explain over the intercom that crews were verifying the fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
The aircraft, a 24-year-old Boeing 767-400 registered as N836MH, is powered by GE CF6 engines. It climbed out over the Pacific before looping inland, following standard safety procedures for this kind of emergency.
This is not the first time Delta has faced a similar incident this year. In January, Flight 105 heading to São Paulo had to return to Atlanta after experiencing an engine fire on its Airbus A330-900neo. That flight landed safely as well, although the brakes overheated during the heavy landing.
While two incidents in seven months might raise questions about Delta’s aircraft maintenance, both flights ended without injury. The quick action by flight crews in both cases likely prevented serious outcomes.
For the passengers on Flight 446, it was a reminder of how fast things can change in the air and how much depends on the crew making the right call at the right time.
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Source:: Life – Fitness – mensjournal
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