Delta plane engine catches fire at Orlando airport

Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta was forced to abort takeoff at Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Monday after an engine fire broke out, prompting the emergency evacuation of over 200 passengers and crew.

Delta Flight DL—operated on an Airbus A330 aircraft—was departing for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) when flames were observed coming from the tailpipe of its right engine. Air traffic control audio captured by Broadcastify confirmed that emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the aircraft as smoke and fire were detected.

“We are calling the fire trucks right now, we see that,” a controller can be heard saying during the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation, while Delta confirmed that all passengers and the 12 crew members—10 flight attendants and 2 pilots—were safely evacuated.

“Delta flight crews followed procedures to evacuate the passenger cabin when flames in the tailpipe of one of the aircraft’s two engines were observed,” the airline said in a statement. “We appreciate our customers’ cooperation and apologize for the experience. Nothing is more important than safety.”

Orlando International Airport also confirmed that the fire was contained and extinguished, with some passengers exiting the aircraft via emergency slides.

FlightRadar24 data shows Delta operates more than a dozen daily flights between Orlando and Atlanta using a mix of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The A330 involved in Monday’s incident is typically used for long-haul and high-capacity routes.

Evacuated passengers were escorted back to the terminal, where Delta provided food, beverages, and travel assistance while making arrangements for them to reach their final destinations. The airline has committed to bringing in additional aircraft to transport affected travelers.

Delta maintenance teams have begun a thorough examination of the plane to determine the exact cause of the engine fire.