US-bound flight returns to Brazil due to engine problem

A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta returned to São Paulo on Sunday evening due to an engine issue, the airline said.

Delta flight 104, an airbus A330-300, returned to São Paulo International Airport “shortly after takeoff” following a mechanical issue with the left engine, the company wrote in a statement.

The airplane, with 272 passengers and 14 crew members on board, was scheduled to fly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a flight that takes between nine and 10 hours.

Video of the plane’s flight path captured by Flightradar24 shows the aircraft heading away from the airport before turning around, circling around and heading back to its point of origin. Footage shared by @Turbinetraveler on the social platform X of the plane taking off from São Paulo shows flames emitting from the left side of it, while another video shared by the account and taken by a passenger shows sparks and flames emitting while the plane is in the air as passengers scream. 

Upon landing, the airplane was met with airport rescue and firefighting teams, with passengers then taken by bus to the terminal, Delta said. The airline also noted that the flight crew followed procedures to shut down the engine during the return to the airport, as the aircraft’s instrumentation showed a mechanical engine fire caution message. 

Delta added that it was working to re-accommodate customers to get them safely to their destinations.

The plane spent 46 minutes in the air before touching back down in São Paulo, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. It is now scheduled to depart Brazil at 9:59 p.m. EDT on Monday and arrive in Atlanta at 7:28 a.m. EDT on Tuesday.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

More Transportation News

4 ways Iran could strike back if Trump invades Kharg Island

Trump: Military 'building a massive complex' under new White House ballroom

Senate Republicans working on GOP-only bill to fund DHS through Trump’s term

Iran puts Europe on notice with ‘game changer’ Diego Garcia missile incident

Hegseth injects combative Christianity into America’s military

Army investigates helicopter fly-by at Kid Rock’s Nashville estate

Trump rips birthright citizenship ahead of Supreme Court arguments

FBI director pushes to release investigative files on Rep. Eric ...

Live updates: Leavitt says Trump wants Congress to return to DC, end DHS ...

Iran destroys $300M US E-3 Sentry radar aircraft on Saudi base

Trump says it's 'possible' Means will be withdrawn as surgeon general nominee

Former Centcom commander: US military has been working on Iran ground raid ...

Graham to Trump: ‘Wind down’ Iran war, ‘wind up’ efforts for peace deal

4 more states will add restrictions on SNAP purchases in April

Himes says Congress has 'gotten too used to using shutdowns' for leverage

Top House Democrat on Biden immigration policy: ‘We should have the border ...

Trump shows off new East Wing ballroom renderings amid scrutiny: What to know

The current war in Iran may prevent much greater bloodshed

© The Hill