A Delta Air Lines flight from São Paulo, Brazil, to Atlanta, U.S., was forced to return shortly after departure following an engine fire. The Airbus A330-300, operating flight DL104, experienced a failure in its left engine seconds after take-off on March 29, 2026, according to reports.
Engine failure triggers emergency return
The aircraft had only climbed a short distance when the issue occurred, after which witnesses reported loud bangs and visible flames from the engine.
Burning debris fell from the aircraft and ignited a small grass fire near the runway, which led to a temporary suspension of operations (which was lifted later that day) at São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU).
Air traffic control alerted the crew to the fire, and the pilots then initiated a return to the airport, where the aircraft landed safely within around 10 minutes of departure.
Separate reporting states the aircraft was carrying more than 280 passengers and crew. No injuries were reported.
Investigation into the cause is underway
The aircraft involved was a 19-year-old Airbus A330-300 powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
The cause of the failure has not been confirmed. Reports suggest a possible bird strike or foreign object damage, though investigations are ongoing and are unconfirmed.
Brazil’s aviation authority is expected to lead the investigation into the incident, which also disrupted operations at the airport, as debris and fire affected runway operations.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause, while the incident adds to a series of recent engine-related events involving commercial aircraft. For example, in early 2026, the Boeing 737 MAX 8200 had a detached sun visor that hit a fuel cutoff switch, forcing an in-flight engine shutdown.
Have you experienced a similar incident? Let us know in the comments.
