A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 carrying 286 people was forced to turn back to Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport late Sunday after flames erupted from its left engine shortly after takeoff
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta came to a terrifying halt Sunday night when flames burst from one of its engines shortly after leaving the ground, forcing the crew to declare an emergency and return to Sao Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport in Brazil.
The aircraft, an Airbus A330-300 carrying 272 passengers and 14 crew members, took off from Guarulhos International Airport late on March 29 before the left engine experienced a mechanical failure that sent flames and sparks trailing from beneath the wing. Passengers onboard described hearing multiple loud bangs before the fire became visible. Video footage of the incident, which quickly spread online, captured the moment sparks erupted from the engine as the jet climbed into the night sky.
The emergency unfolded at 4,500 feet
According to reports, the aircraft — operating as Delta flight DL104 and registered as N813NW — had climbed to approximately 4,500 feet when the engine failure occurred. Air traffic control alerted the flight crew, who confirmed the emergency and initiated a return to the airport. The plane landed safely on the only active runway available and was immediately met by airport firefighters.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:49 p.m. local time, temporarily suspended operations at Guarulhos International Airport, disrupting multiple international departures as crews responded to the situation on the ground. Passengers were transported from the aircraft to the terminal by bus, and Delta subsequently canceled the flight, with affected travelers expected to be rebooked on alternative services.
Investigators are looking into the cause
Brazilian aviation authority CENIPA is expected to lead an investigation into the mechanical failure, with possible involvement from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. Early reports suggest two potential causes are being examined: foreign object debris ingestion or a bird strike. Another aircraft in the area had reportedly flagged a bird sighting around the time of the incident, lending some credibility to the latter theory.
The episode adds to a series of engine-related incidents involving Delta aircraft that have drawn attention in recent months, raising questions about maintenance protocols and aircraft age. The Airbus A330-300 involved in Sunday’s emergency is 19 years old, having first entered service with Northwest Airlines in 2006. Delta Air Lines acquired the aircraft in December 2009, and it has continued operating under its original registration ever since.
All 286 people aboard are safe
Despite the alarming nature of the incident — flames shooting from a wing at night, loud bangs that startled passengers, and an unplanned emergency descent — everyone aboard arrived safely. Delta confirmed the aircraft landed without injury and that its ground emergency response teams were on hand to assist the moment the plane touched down.
The airline extended an apology to customers affected by the disruption and reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority. For the 286 people aboard flight DL104, what began as a routine overnight departure to Atlanta became one of the more frightening experiences a traveler can face at 4,500 feet — one that ended, fortunately, without tragedy.
Further details from the official investigation are expected in the coming weeks.
Source: Republic World, originally reported by Abhishek Tiwari