A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300, operating as Flight 104 from São Paulo to Atlanta, was forced to make an emergency return to Guarulhos International Airport on the night of March 29, 2026, after its left engine caught fire shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, carrying 272 passengers and 14 crew members, landed safely, but the incident caused significant disruption, including a brush fire on the airport grounds due to falling debris.
The terrifying event unfolded just moments after the aircraft rotated off the runway. Passengers reported hearing loud bangs followed by visible flames erupting from the left engine. Air traffic control quickly alerted the crew, confirming the fire and advising them to return. The pilots, demonstrating remarkable composure, followed emergency procedures, shutting down the affected engine and initiating a return to the airport.
The Airbus A330-300, registered as N813NW, had climbed to approximately 4,500 feet when the engine failure occurred. Burning debris from the engine fell onto the grass adjacent to the runway, igniting a brush fire within the airport perimeter. This, along with metallic debris on the runway, led to the temporary suspension of airport operations, impacting other flights.
Delta Air Lines confirmed the incident, stating that the flight experienced a “mechanical issue with the aircraft’s left engine.” The airline emphasized that the safety of its customers and crew is its highest priority and that all passengers and crew were accounted for with no injuries reported. The airline is working to re-accommodate affected passengers.
The specific cause of the engine failure is currently under investigation by Brazil’s aviation authority, CENIPA, with potential involvement from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This incident adds to a recent series of engine-related issues involving Delta aircraft, prompting further scrutiny into the airline’s maintenance and operational procedures.
