Preliminary information
On July 24, 2026, about 14:32 Coordinated Universal Time, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200, N662DN, powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW2037 turbofan engines, experienced a No. 1 (left) engine fire during initial climb from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia. The captain and first officer (FO) were uninjured. The flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a non-scheduled, maintenance ferry flight from ATL to Querétaro Intercontinental Airport (QRO), Mexico.
According to the flight crew, the pre-flight, taxi, and takeoff were uneventful. The captain was the pilot flying and the FO was the pilot monitoring. While climbing through 12,000 ft, a L ENG FIRE MASTER WARNING was displayed on the engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS) with an accompanying aural fire bell. The captain continued flying and the FO executed the engine fire checklist. The engine was successfully shutdown, one fire bottle was discharged, and the fire indication extinguished shortly thereafter. The crew declared an emergency, requested an immediate return to ATL, and performed an uneventful landing.
The crew did not observe any additional cockpit fire indications after landing and elected to vacate the runway and taxi to a gate. Post-landing inspection by airport rescue and fire-fighting (ARFF) found sooting and thermal damage on the No. 1 engine and nacelle components, extending up toward the pylon structure. Subsequent inspection by Delta Airlines maintenance found a tear near the top of the outer diffuser case.
Figure 1: External engine condition
Figure 2: Top of outer diffuser case
The NTSB invited qualified parties to participate in the investigation, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Boeing Company, Delta Air Lines, and Pratt & Whitney. NTSB specialist support includes Flight Data Recorders and Powerplants.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for ENG26LA029 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 24, 2026
- Type
- Incident
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Highest injury
- None
Boeing 757
- N-number
- N662DN
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1991
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Ferry
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.