'Terrifying' footage shows moment Delta Airlines jet sets fire shortly after take-off

Video shows the shocking moment a Delta Airline jet's engine burst into flames mid-air.

On Friday (July 18), Flight 446 left from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but shortly after taking off had to make an emergency landing.

The plane that was carrying 226 passengers is believed to have been traveling to Atlanta when it had to turn round and make its way back to LAX.

The moment jet — a Boeing 767-400 aircraft — took off from the airport was documented by YouTube channel L.A Flights which livestreams several flights from LAX each week.

The content creator just so happened to be filming the Delta flight when disaster struck. The video shows that while the jet was still ascending its left engine was on fire.

The person behind the camera, Josh, who co-owns the YouTube channel it was documented on, was quick to spot it.

He said: "Oh, look at that! Whoa! Was that a compressor stall? What's going on?"

"Hang on, that's not good," Josh went on. Listening in on Air Traffic Control, he said he couldn't hear any alarms being rung about the fire on the plane yet.

The livestream then cuts to the moment that the Delta jet safely landed back at LAX. Shortly after hitting the tarmac emergency services rushed over to the plane and the fire department started its inspection.

Fortunately, it appeared as if the fire has gone out upon landing. Josh went on to applaud the fire department on the crew on the plane for their quick response.

"Big round of applause to [LAX Fire Department]," he said, adding: "And a big round of applause to the crew of Delta 446."

At the time of writing, it hasn't been confirmed what exactly caused the fire, however, Delta Airlines have since addressed the matter.

A Delta spokesperson told UNILAD: "Delta Flight 446 returned to Los Angeles shortly after departure following an indication of an issue with the aircraft’s left engine.

Delta Airlines has issued a statement on Friday's emergency landing (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

"As nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew, the flight crew followed procedures and safely returned to the gate.

"We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel plans."

A few commenters wrote on the video that they were 'glad all were safe', as one person said: "Very terrifying, but well captured! I'm glad they made a safe landing."

Another wrote: "Wow that was scary, glad everyone was safe. Thank you for the pilots that did a great job," while someone else commented: "Very scary to see, but excellent capture! Good to see them land safely."