On Mar 29th 2026, a dramatic engine failure forced a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300, registration N813NW, operating flight DL-104 from São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport to Atlanta, to return shortly after departure.
The aircraft, carrying 272 passengers and 14 crew, had just departed runway 10L and was climbing out when the left-hand Pratt & Whitney PW4168 engine began emitting a series of loud bangs. Witnesses on the ground and reports from the flight crew described flames, sparks, and debris ejecting from the engine, prompting immediate concern.
Air traffic control alerted the crew to a visible fire on the wing as the situation unfolded. Debris falling from the engine also ignited a brush fire within the airport perimeter, adding urgency to the already critical situation.
The crew promptly halted the climb at around 4,500 feet and initiated a return to Guarulhos. Maintaining full control of the aircraft, they conducted a rapid but orderly approach and landed safely back on runway 10L approximately 11 minutes after departure.
Emergency services were on standby as the aircraft touched down. Despite the severity of the engine event, all occupants remained safe and no injuries were reported.
The flight was subsequently cancelled as maintenance teams began detailed inspections of the affected engine and surrounding structures. The aircraft remained on the ground in São Paulo for at least 15 hours following the incident.
Brazil’s Centro de Investigação e Prevenção de Acidentes Aeronáuticos has opened an investigation into the occurrence.
Engine failures involving visible flames and debris are rare but serious events, and this incident highlights both the unpredictable nature of mechanical failures and the effectiveness of crew training in bringing such high-risk situations to a safe conclusion.
