AZORES— A transatlantic Delta Air Lines (DL) flight from Madrid (MAD) to New York (JFK) was forced to divert after suffering an engine failure mid-flight on July 6, 2025. The Airbus A330-323 aircraft, operating as DL127, made an emergency landing at Lajes Airport (LPLA) on Terceira Island in the Azores.
The Delta Air Lines crew declared an emergency over the North Atlantic after a loud bang signaled a potential engine issue. The crew diverted the aircraft to the Portuguese Air Force base, where it landed safely with no injuries reported.
Photo: FlightRadar24Delta Madrid to New York Emergency
Flight DL127 departed from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) on July 7, 2025, en route to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.
Approximately halfway over the Atlantic Ocean, passengers reported hearing a loud bang followed by a noticeable jolt, indicating a possible mechanical issue.
Shortly afterward, the flight deck announced an engine failure and that the aircraft would divert to Lajes Airport (LPLA), a military base with limited commercial infrastructure.
Passengers on board described the following hour as tense and emotionally charged, with visible distress, crying, and praying in the cabin.
Though no fire or external engine damage was visible, some passengers noted unusual sounds, including “whizzing and whirring.”
One passenger rang the call button after observing something unusual from the window. The crew maintained composure while keeping passengers informed during the incident.
Photo: Reddit UserSafe Landing and Passenger Handling in Terceira
The Airbus A330-323, registered N805NW, landed safely at the air base and was later towed to the civilian terminal. Due to limited immigration infrastructure, passengers were held in a temporary terminal for several hours before being processed.
Delta arranged lodging for many travelers, while others secured independent accommodations.
In one reported case, a teenager traveling alone was cared for by a local hotelier who provided dinner, transportation, and reassurance to the child’s family, evoking memories of community compassion similar to that seen during the events portrayed in Come From Away.
Replacement aircraft N822NW was later dispatched to transport passengers onward to New York.
Despite the mechanical emergency, Delta Air Lines confirmed no injuries occurred. The aircraft experienced a single-engine failure, a condition it is certified to handle safely under ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards).
Although passengers faced a five-hour delay on the ground in the Azores, they ultimately praised the professionalism of the crew and the warmth of the local response. The affected aircraft remains in Terceira awaiting engine part replacement.
Photo: Shared on XSimilar Incident
A Delta Air Lines (DL) Airbus A330 preparing for departure from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) experienced an engine fire on April 21, 2025.
The right engine of the widebody jet caught fire during takeoff, prompting an emergency evacuation of over 200 passengers and crew at MCO.
According to initial reports, the fire originated in the tailpipe of the aircraft’s right engine. Delta Air Lines (DL), which operates frequent daily flights between Orlando (MCO) and Atlanta (ATL), confirmed that 10 flight attendants and 2 pilots were aboard the affected Airbus A330.
Emergency response teams at Orlando International Airport (MCO) acted swiftly, assisting in a full evacuation. Passengers exited the aircraft using emergency slides, and no serious injuries were reported. The airport later confirmed the fire was “contained and is out.”
The aircraft, which had just initiated its takeoff roll, was immediately halted following detection of the fire, preventing any further escalation of the situation.
Following the incident, Delta issued a formal statement prioritizing safety:
“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.”
Evacuated passengers were escorted back to the terminal, where Delta staff arranged for refreshments and coordinated alternative travel arrangements.
The airline also stated that another aircraft would be deployed to accommodate the affected passengers and continue their journey to Atlanta (ATL).
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