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A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) was forced to return to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) Sunday evening after an engine failure during takeoff ignited a grass fire alongside the runway at the airport.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 PM yesterday as Delta flight DL 1067 (operated by a Boeing 737-900) was accelerating for departure from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) en route to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
Shortly after liftoff, the pilots declared an emergency following what passengers described as a dramatic engine malfunction. One traveler reported that an engine blew with visible flames streaking from it. High winds and dry grass conditions near the runway reportedly allowed the flames to ignite a brush fire as the aircraft began its initial climb. Flight tracking data shows the aircraft reached an altitude of less than 3,000 feet before the crew initiated a return to Savannah.
Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched. Garden City Fire Rescue confirmed it responded to the scene in coordination with the Savannah Fire Department, Pooler Fire-Rescue, and the 165th Airlift Wing Fire Department. As the aircraft touched down minutes later, video captured by passengers showed flames spreading across grassy areas adjacent to the runway. Fire crews worked quickly to contain the blaze and secure the area. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
Despite the mechanical failure and resulting fire, the aircraft landed safely back at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV). The extent of damage to the aircraft has not yet been disclosed and Delta has not released additional details regarding the cause of the engine failure. Passengers were accommodated on another aircraft and the flight arrived around nine hours delayed.
Anthony’s Take: The video looks crazy, but thankfully everyone was safe and no injuries were reported.
(Featured Image Credit: @aviationbrk via X.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
