A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 was forced to make an emergency return to São Paulo on the 29th of March after its left engine suffered a dramatic malfunction shortly after take-off, marking the first of two serious engine-related incidents for the airline within 24 hours.
The 20 year old aircraft, registration N813NW, was operating Flight DL104 from São Paulo Guarulhos to Atlanta with 272 passengers and 14 crew on board when the left Pratt & Whitney PW4168 engine emitted a series of loud bangs during the initial climb from runway 10L.
Witnesses on the ground reported flames, sparks and debris trailing from the engine as the aircraft climbed through approximately 4,500 feet. Air traffic control also alerted the crew to a fire visible on the left side of the aircraft. Debris ejected from the engine reportedly ignited a brush fire within the airport perimeter.
The crew halted the climb and returned to Guarulhos, where the A330 landed safely on runway 10L around 11 minutes after departure.
All passengers and crew were safely evacuated, with travellers transported by bus back to the terminal as Delta began rebooking affected passengers. The flight was subsequently cancelled.
Delta said the aircraft had experienced a mechanical issue with the left engine. The exact cause of the failure was not immediately known, while the FAA referred further questions to South American authorities, which are expected to lead the investigation.
The incident came amid what has been a rough 48 hours for the airline, following a separate engine-related diversion involving a Delta Boeing 737-900 in the United States.
Delta Flight DL1082, was travelling from Atlanta to Hartford with 83 people on board when the crew reported severe vibration from the left CFM56 engine followed by a loud bang while cruising at 33,000 feet approximately 110 nautical miles southwest of Richmond, Virginia.
The aircraft initiated a descent and diverted to Richmond, where it landed safely on runway 34 about 35 minutes later. Emergency services were requested to inspect the left side of the aircraft and the affected engine for any visible damage before the aircraft later taxied to the apron.
A replacement Boeing 737-800, registration N818DA, later completed the service to Hartford, arriving with a delay of approximately four hours.
No injuries were reported in either incident.
Delta is as a 7/7 star safety rated airline
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