LOS ANGELES- Yesterday, we reported that Delta Air Lines (DL) flight DL446 faced an engine failure shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on July 18, 2025.
The flight was operated by a Boeing 767 and made a safe landing back at LAX. You can read the full story here: Delta Flight DL446 Suffers Engine Fire, Returns to Los Angeles
Photo: L.A FLIGHTS | YouTube ChannelDelta 767 Pilots and ATC Comms
Here is the full transcript of the Delta Air Lines flight 446 engine fire incident, based on the original Air Traffic Control (ATC) and pilot communications as reconstructed in the video by You Can See ATC:
{00:18}
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, contact SoCal Departure.
Pilot: Delta 446 heavy, roger.
{00:26}
Pilot: SoCal, Delta 446 heavy is checking in with you and passing 1,500.
We have a declared emergency. We have an indication of an engine fire.
{00:35}
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, departure radar contact, roger.
Do you want to level off at a lower altitude?
Pilot: Yes, sir — Delta 446 heavy.
ATC: Roger. Just maintain whatever altitude you need. You want the equipment standing by, correct?
Pilot: Correct. Uh — 2,000 good for Delta 446. Thirty thousand.
ATC: Okay, we’ll go to 3,000 on Delta 446 heavy.
Delta 446 heavy, yeah, whatever you need — 2,000 or 3,000?
Pilot: Okay, 3,000, right?
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, are you ready to return at this time?
Pilot: Yeah, we can make a turn back toward the field and set up for an ILS to the runway.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, roger. Cleared to Los Angeles Airport via radar vectors. Turn left heading 090 and maintain 3,000.
Pilot: 090 and 3,000 — Delta 446 heavy.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, is the engine fire contained yet — or is it still active?
Pilot: We’re checking. We’re working on it.
ATC: Okay. When able, can you give me the souls on board and fuel remaining?
Pilot: Okay — 240 souls on board and fuel is six and a half hours.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, thank you.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, fly heading 070 — this vector is going to take you out of class Bravo airspace.
Pilot: 070 heading — Delta 446.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, current ATIS is India. Altimeter is 29.99.
Pilot: Copy — Delta 446.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, contact SoCal Approach now on 134.9.
Pilot: 34.9, take care — Delta 446.
[Now on SoCal Approach – 134.9]
Pilot: SoCal, Delta 446 heavy with you at 3,000.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, turn 10 degrees left and maintain 3,000. I’ll have lower momentarily. Speed is your discretion.
Pilot: Alright — 060 and maintain 3,000. We’re going to maintain 200 knots — Delta 446 heavy.
ATC: Roger. What do you need from me? Do you want a short approach or go out further?
Pilot: Yeah, we can go outside from there if that’s okay.
ATC: Yep, absolutely. Just fly present heading. I’ll have lower momentarily.
Pilot: Okay — Delta 446 heavy.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, traffic at 12 o’clock, 3 miles — eastbound, VFR, 2,400 indicated. Turn 10 degrees left.
Pilot: Okay — 10 more left, Delta 446 heavy.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, is this a good spot to turn base or do you want to go out further?
Pilot: Anytime… we’re good now — Delta 446.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, turn left heading 340.
Pilot: 340 — Delta 446 heavy.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, continue left turn heading 280. Intercept the 25 Left localizer.
Another company aircraft is north of you—on the North Complex.
Pilot: 280, intercept localizer 25 Left — Delta 446 heavy.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, 6 miles from GG. Maintain 2,000 until established. Cleared ILS 25 Left approach.
Pilot: Cleared ILS 25 Left — Delta 446 heavy.
ATC: Delta 446 heavy, speed is your discretion. Contact LAX Tower, 127.85.
Pilot: 127.85 — Delta 446 heavy.
[Now with LAX Tower – 127.85]
Pilot: Tower, Delta 446 heavy on final for 25 Left — emergency aircraft.
Tower (ATC): Delta 446 heavy, L.A. Tower, wind 240 at 9, gusts 18.
Runway 25 Left cleared to land. Caution: heavy 767 departed inboard. Cleared to land 25 Left.
Pilot: Cleared to land 25 Left — Delta 446 heavy.
Tower (ATC): Delta 446 heavy, which engine — one or two?
Pilot: Left engine — number one.
Tower (ATC): Copy that, left engine. And there’s no fire indication right now?
Pilot: Correct — we’ve shut it down and will stop on the runway and let the trucks take a look at it.
Tower (ATC): Delta 446 heavy, roger.
[ATC Radioing Fire/Rescue:]
R1, L.A. Tower: Number one engine, aircraft on short final, emergency aircraft — 3.5 mile final. Equipment standing by — Delta 446 heavy.
Pilot: We’ll stop here on the runway. Left engine — roger.
Pilot (to ground emergency crew):
Yeah, we had a fire indication in the left engine; we fired both bottles.
We just want to make sure we don’t see any residual fire.
Right now, there’s no indication on our systems or any on the ground.
Rescue Crew (via ATC): Roger.
Let us know.
No visible signs of fire at this time.
Pilot: Okay — thanks for checking it out. Really appreciate it.
Pilot: If you’re okay with that, we’re going to clear the runway and pull off here. Head back to the gate.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Delta Madrid to New York Flight Makes Emergency Landing at Remote Island
The post Delta 767 Pilots and ATC Comms After Engine Fire at Los Angeles appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
