A Delta Air Lines Airbus A330 carrying 282 passengers was evacuated on the tarmac at Orlando International Airport Monday morning after flames erupted from one of its engines, prompting a full-scale emergency response and investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft, which was scheduled to fly to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, had just left its gate when the fire broke out.
Cell phone video from a bystander in the terminal, Dylan Wallace, captured a ball of orange flames shooting from the right engine of the aircraft. Air traffic control audio posted by Broadcastify confirmed emergency crews were dispatched immediately after the fire was observed. "We are calling the fire trucks right now, we see that," one controller said as the incident unfolded.
Delta Air Lines stated that its crew followed protocol by initiating an evacuation once the flames were detected in the tailpipe of the aircraft's right engine. "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.
Emergency slides were deployed, and all passengers and crew exited the aircraft without injury. Delta initially reported 200 passengers on board, later updating the number to 282. Ten flight attendants and two pilots were also present on the flight, which is part of Delta's frequent Orlando-to-Atlanta route.
#BREAKING: Nearly 300 passengers on a Delta Airlines flight were forced to evacuate after an engine fire broke out
#Orlando | #Florida
Watch as footage captured by a passenger at Orlando International Airport shows a A330 Airbus Delta Airlines flight from Orlando to… pic.twitter.com/evwPeEsMHw — R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) April 21, 2025
"We appreciate our customers' cooperation and apologize for the experience. Nothing is more important than safety, and Delta teams will work to get our customers to their final destinations as soon as possible," the airline said.
Delta confirmed that maintenance crews are examining the aircraft to determine the source of the fire. Preliminary findings suggest the flames originated in the engine tailpipe, a known location for potential unburned fuel or oil residue to ignite, particularly during engine start or high-idle operations. Though less severe than in-flight fires, tailpipe fires still require thorough inspection and FAA review.
The FAA has launched an investigation, part of a broader effort to evaluate mechanical issues as U.S. carriers face increasing maintenance demands and higher flight volumes post-pandemic. Delta's A330 fleet, primarily used for long-haul routes, is occasionally deployed domestically to meet demand on high-capacity corridors.
Orlando International Airport fire crews responded within minutes, securing the runway and assisting with passenger transport back to the terminal. No other flights were disrupted as a result of the incident, and airport officials praised the seamless coordination of ground teams.
Delta rebooked affected passengers on alternate flights and provided meals and accommodations where necessary. Videos shared across social media showed a mostly orderly evacuation, though some passengers were seen trying to retrieve personal items-a practice discouraged by safety agencies.
