A Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta made an emergency return to Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport on Sunday (February 22) after losing an engine shortly after takeoff, sparking a large grass fire alongside the runway. No one among the 185 people on board was hurt.

Delta Flight 1067, a Boeing 737-900, lifted off from the Savannah airport at approximately 6:45 p.m. when the pilot quickly declared an emergency. Air traffic control audio captured the tense exchange that followed. "Everything ok? I saw a pretty large flame on takeoff," a controller asked. The pilot responded, "We lost left engine straight out here for Delta 1067."

The controller then warned another aircraft waiting on the runway to stand clear, saying, "We're going to get a fire truck out there, that whole taxiway is on fire." When the pilot asked whether the fire was connected to their aircraft, the controller confirmed it was. "Unfortunately, when the engine blew, it set the whole grass on the left side of the airport on fire," the controller said.

Multiple fire agencies responded to the blaze. Garden City Fire-Rescue posted on Facebook that it coordinated with the Savannah Fire Department, Pooler Fire-Rescue, airport fire services, and the 165th Airlift Wing Fire Department. Crews worked on fire suppression, water supply, and command operations. The fire was extinguished and did not disrupt other flights.

Videos shared on social media showed large rings of fire burning alongside the runway, with a thick orange haze on the horizon and strong winds audible in the recordings. According to flight tracker FlightAware, the Boeing 737-900 landed safely back at the airport at 7:12 p.m., less than 30 minutes after departure. Fire trucks met the plane on the ground, and all passengers deplaned at the gate.

Passenger Jeanne Miraglia described the moment the pilot addressed those on board. "The pilot came on saying the engine had blown, but we have another good engine," she told WTOC. "And we're gonna be fine and told us what to look for — fire trucks, grass fires, and things like that."

Delta confirmed the incident in a 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 that the plane "landed safely and was met by fire trucks, with customers deplaning at the gate," and said it was working to reaccommodate passengers on alternate flights. The airline also apologized for the delay.

There were 179 passengers, two pilots, and four flight attendants on board. Nobody was injured.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is operating normally, though officials noted that some airlines are issuing travel waivers due to winter weather at connecting airports. Passengers are encouraged to check with their airline before heading to the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it will investigate the incident.

Mike Jones

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