ATLANTA- On January 1, 2025, an A330 flight operated by Delta Air Lines (DL) from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Sao Paulo/Guarulhos-Governor André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU) caught fire after takeoff.
The Atlanta-based company offers two daily flights between Atlanta and Sao Paulo, utilizing Airbus A330 aircraft.
Delta Flight Engine Issues
aircraft Radar 24 data shows that Delta aircraft DL105 took off from Atlanta at 11:31 PM UTC (6:31 AM local time).
Shortly after takeoff at 4,725 feet, the Delta crew reported an engine fire and a mechanical problem with the left engine. Following this, they phoned ATC and, without reporting an emergency, opted to return to Atlanta.
The flight arrived successfully at 12:07 AM UTC (7:07 AM local time). However, they did not have time to dump and burn extra gasoline, so they made a hard landing. Following this, the fire trucks were summoned, and they sprayed water on the brakes due to overheating.
The aircraft involved in the incident is an Airbus A330neo (A330-941), registered N408DX. Furthermore, the aircraft is 4.3 years old and powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.
The airline re-accommodated all 257 passengers on another aircraft, and the flight departed again. However, passengers arrived at their destination after a five-hour delay.
Delta’s representative apologized to customers for the incident and lengthy delay.
The preliminary statement posted on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Aviation Accidents and Incidents page states:
Delta Air Lines Flight 105 returned safely to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport around 7 p.m. local time on Wednesday, January 1, after the crew reported a possible issue with one of the engines. The Airbus A330 was headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Furthermore, the FAA has launched an investigation and will determine the exact reason of the incident on the first day of the new year.
Channel 2 Action News also stated that a witness walking along the street posted a video of a Delta jet erupting in flames from its engine, accompanied by loud explosion sounds before self-extinguishing.
Similar Incident
It is not the first time a Delta plane engine has caught fire, especially on an Airbus A330.
On October 22, 2024, an engine fire broke out on Delta Air Lines’ Airbus A330 at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) during pre-departure preparations for flight DL112 to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the event. According to the Aviation Accidents and Incidents report, the crew reported engine difficulties at around 7 p.m. local time. Airport Fire and Rescue Services responded quickly, extinguishing the fire in the aircraft’s Number 1 engine and safely returning the fly to the gate.
The airplane carried 152 passengers, all of whom were unhurt throughout the event. Following a maintenance inspection, Delta’s technical experts found that the aircraft needed additional repairs, resulting in the flight’s cancelation.
According to a Delta representative, the aborted flight was due to engine issues. The airline began rebooking affected passengers on alternate flights.
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