Delta A330 Returns to São Paulo After Engine Fire on Takeoff

Delta Flight 104 Makes Emergency Return Following Engine Failure

Delta Flight 104 returned safely to São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) on March 29, 2026, shortly after takeoff en route to Atlanta. The Airbus A330-300 aircraft, registered N813NW and equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engines, experienced a severe compressor stall during departure.

Incident Details and Response

The failure occurred seconds after liftoff in the evening, resulting in explosions, visible flames, sparks and burning debris that ignited a brush fire near the runway perimeter. Debris fell within the airport confines. All 286 people on board — 272 passengers and 14 crew members — disembarked without injury after emergency crews extinguished the fire from the nacelle. Pilots declared an emergency, shut down the affected engine and climbed to approximately 4,500 feet before executing a racetrack pattern for return. The crew completed the emergency landing within 10 minutes of takeoff.

Investigation and Statements

Delta Air Lines confirmed the incident, stating: "The flight returned following an indication of a mechanical issue with the aircraft's left engine. The crew followed established procedures... We apologize to our customers for this delay." Aviation analysts have praised the pilots for following proper procedures, including climbing to an appropriate altitude before initiating the return to avoid low-altitude turn risks during emergencies. The 2006-delivered A330 remains under investigation, with preliminary reports on the exact cause beyond the compressor stall still pending.