A fire broke out in one engine of a Delta Air Lines plane shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport last week. Thankfully, the flight, which was headed to Atlanta, landed safely.
Flight 446 was in the air for just a short time before the crew noticed an issue with the left engine. The incident happened around 2:10 PM, and the Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating.
On board were 226 passengers along with two pilots and seven flight attendants. Thanks to an operator from L.A. Flights, the moment was captured live. The video shows flames erupting from the engine as the plane soared into the sky, prompting a stunned reaction from the camera operator. “Whoa. Hang on, that’s not good,” he said.
Miraculously, the aircraft made a safe return, landing smoothly while fire trucks rushed to meet it. The plane was able to taxi back to the gate under its own power, and passengers were quickly rebooked on other flights.
Reactions from passengers and their families flooded social media after the event. One person commented, “I was on this flight, sitting in the middle aisle. I couldn’t see the smoke or fire, but it was really scary for those 10 minutes! Everyone remained calm, even if we were internally panicking.”
Another viewer praised the flight crew, stating, “Their calmness was exceptional. Thanks to them, everyone returned safely.”
Incidents like this often raise questions about airline safety. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there were nearly 1,300 incidents of in-flight engine failures from 2010 to 2020. The vast majority landed safely, showing the effectiveness of modern aircraft safety systems. This is a reminder of how crucial it is for training and procedures to be top-notch.
In a world where flying is increasingly common, events like this highlight the resilience of both the aircraft and its crew. Airlines invest heavily in training and technology to ensure passenger safety, and this flight is a testament to that commitment.
For more information on aviation safety standards, you can check out the NTSB’s website.