Delta Boeing 767 engine catches fire mid-air, emergency landing in LA.

A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta was forced to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday after its left engine reportedly caught fire shortly after takeoff. The incident involved Flight DL446, operated by a 24-year-old Boeing 767-400 with registration number N836MH.

According to a report by Aviation A2Z, the aircraft had just departed from Los Angeles when the crew received indications of an engine fire. Flames were visibly coming from the plane’s left engine, as captured in video footage shot from the ground.

The pilots quickly declared an emergency and coordinated with Air Traffic Control for an immediate return. The aircraft initially flew out over the Pacific Ocean before circling back over Downey and Paramount, giving the crew time to complete safety checklists and prepare for landing. Despite the emergency, the plane maintained stable altitude and speed throughout the maneuver.

Upon landing, emergency crews were ready and confirmed that the fire had been extinguished. No injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.

A Delta spokesperson told the BBC that Flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure following an indication of an issue with the aircraft’s left engine. Passengers reported that the captain informed them fire crews were verifying that the engine fire was out.

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The Boeing 767-400 is powered by two General Electric CF6 engines.

This marks the second reported engine fire incident involving Delta this year. On January 1, Flight DL105, an Airbus A330neo, was forced to return to Atlanta shortly after takeoff on its way to São Paulo, Brazil. In that case, the aircraft’s left engine also malfunctioned and emitted visible flames, alarming passengers.

Both incidents have prompted ongoing investigations to assess causes and reinforce safety protocols.