Panic hit the skies as Delta Flight 446’s left engine burst into flames just moments after takeoff from LAX on July 18. The Boeing 767, packed with 226 passengers, was en route to Atlanta before turning back for an emergency landing.

The fiery scene was caught live by aviation YouTube channel L.A Flights. “Oh, look at that! Whoa! Was that a compressor stall?” the shocked cameraman, Josh, exclaimed. Flames lit up the left engine as the jet climbed, with no alarms heard on air traffic radio at first.

Thankfully, the pilot safely landed the jet back at LAX. Emergency crews swarmed the runway within seconds. Josh praised the response: “Big round of applause to [LAX Fire Department]… and the crew of Delta 446.”

Delta confirmed the emergency, citing an issue with the left engine. “The flight crew followed procedures and safely returned… We apologize to our customers,” a spokesperson said.

The livestreamed footage has gone viral, with viewers flooding the comments in relief. “Very scary to see… but great capture!” one wrote. Another added, “Terrifying—but major respect to the crew.”

Keywords: Delta engine fire, Delta Flight 446, emergency landing, LAX, Boeing 767.