A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 returned to São Paulo Guarulhos Airport shortly after takeoff on March 29, 2026, after its left engine failed and burst into flames during departure for Atlanta, prompting investigations by Brazilian and US authorities.
The aircraft, operating as Delta Flight 104, had 272 passengers and 14 crew members aboard. Delta said the jet experienced a mechanical issue with its left engine after departure from Guarulhos in Brazil and returned safely to the airport. Airport rescue and firefighting crews met the aircraft after landing, and the airline said customers were taken by bus to the terminal. No injuries were reported.
Video recorded from inside the cabin and shared on social media appears to show flames and sparks shooting from the left engine just after liftoff. The footage, which has circulated widely online, captured a sustained fire trail from the engine as the aircraft climbed away from the runway and turned back toward the airport. The flames continued for more than a minute in video of the incident.
A separate video filmed by a bystander on the ground showed the engine trailing flames.
Brazil’s Cenipa, the country’s aviation accident investigation agency, confirmed it is investigating the incident. The US Federal Aviation Administration also said it is investigating. Pratt & Whitney said it is aware of the event and is actively supporting the investigation. Neither investigators nor the airline had identified a cause as of March 30.
FAA registry records identify the aircraft as N813NW, an Airbus A330-323. Fleet records indicate the jet was built in 2006. The engine type is the Pratt & Whitney PW4000.
The incident disrupted operations at Guarulhos, with local media reporting 28 flight cancellations and 14 diversions following the event.
Delta did not say when the aircraft would return to service or whether passengers from Flight 104 were rebooked on other flights. The airline said only that safety remains its highest priority and apologized to customers for the delay.
