Delta Boeing 767 flight makes U-turn to Los Angeles airport after engine catches fire

Los Angeles – July 18, 2025 – A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-400 operating Flight DL 446 from LAX to Atlanta returned for an emergency landing shortly after takeoff when its left engine caught fire, visible in dramatic footage captured by aircraft spotters. FAA reports confirm the aircraft executed a safe U-turn and landed back at LAX at approximately 14:10 local time.

🔥 Incident Overview

• Flight & Payload: Flight 446 carried 226 passengers and 9 crew members. No injuries were reported upon safe landing.
• Engine Fire Visuals: Video footage from “L.A. Flights” vividly shows flames erupting from the left engine during climb before the aircraft circled back.
• Crew Action: Pilots detected the engine warning, declared an emergency, initiated a return, and landed without visible fire. Emergency crews met the aircraft; all deplaned normally.
• Regulatory Attention: The FAA has launched a formal investigation to determine the root cause of the incident.

🛠️ Technical & Operational Context

• This marks the second engine fire involving Delta in 2025, following an engine blaze on a Boeing 757 earlier this year—prompting scrutiny over maintenance and inspection protocols.
• Delta confirmed that, following evacuation, passengers were re-accommodated on alternative flights. Maintenance teams and LAX fire crews conducted immediate on-site inspections.