Delta flight loses left engine, sparks grass fire and returns safely to Savannah

Delta Air Lines Flight 1067 declared an emergency after the crew reported losing its left engine shortly after takeoff from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, ejecting flame that ignited grass along the left side of the field and forcing the Boeing 737-900 to return and land safely with no injuries.

The jet, carrying 179 customers and six crew, accelerated into the sky at about 6:45 p.m. on Sunday evening and was back on the ground at 7:12 p.m., according to flight-tracking data cited by local media. Air traffic control radio captured the exchange that followed takeoff. An air traffic controller asked, “Everything ok? I saw a pretty large flame on takeoff.” The flight crew replied, “We lost left engine straight out here for Delta 1067.”

Controllers then cleared traffic and coordinated emergency response after reporting visible flames on the field. One controller told another plane, “we’re going to get a fire truck out there, that whole taxiway is on fire.” The pilot asked whether the blaze was connected to their aircraft, saying, “This fire. Is it related to the runway? Is it what just happened with our airplane, or is it something different?” The controller responded, “Unfortunately, when the engine blew, it set the whole grass on the left side of the airport on fire.”

Emergency teams from Garden City Fire Rescue, Savannah Fire Department, Pooler Fire-Rescue and the 165th Airlift Wing Fire Department moved to the scene and coordinated suppression. The grass blaze was extinguished and, according to local airport-affiliate reporting, did not affect runways or scheduled flights. The airplane was met by Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting units on return and passengers deplaned normally at the gate.

Delta issued a brief statement saying the flight “returned to the airport soon after takeoff Sunday evening, following a mechanical issue with the aircraft’s left engine.” The airline added, “The Boeing 737-900 landed safely and was met by [Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting], then customers deplaned normally at the gate.” Delta also said, “We are working to reaccommodate all customers on alternate flights. We apologize to our customers for this delay in their travels.”

A passenger who spoke to local reporters described hearing a loud boom during ascent. Jeanne Miraglia said the pilot told passengers the engine had failed but reassured them that “we have another good engine,” and advised they look for fire trucks and grass fires, according to the interview cited by local outlets.

Regulatory and operational follow up remains outstanding. National investigators were contacted by national media for comment, and Delta, the airport and federal authorities were reached for response. No aviation safety authority has released a public determination of cause. The pilot’s description and ATC audio indicate an apparent left-engine failure and subsequent ground ignition, but technical analysis by the Federal Aviation Administration or the National Transportation Safety Board would be required to establish a definitive cause.

Beyond the immediate safety success in returning the aircraft with no injuries, the incident highlights operational costs airlines face when mechanical failures occur at high density airports: emergency response deployment, passenger reaccommodation, and aircraft inspection or potential grounding pending investigation. For travelers and airport operators, the episode underscores the contingency demands placed on crews, airport fire services and ground operations when a single-engine event produces an unexpected ground fire. Further details on aircraft damage, any airport infrastructure effects and the status of the jet will depend on forthcoming statements from Delta and federal investigators.