Delta 757 Emergency Landing in Atlanta After Pilot Reports Engine Issue
ATLANTA– On August 1, 2025, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200, operating as flight DL8962 from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, made a safe return to Atlanta due to an in-flight emergency.
Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew requested to maintain an altitude of 10,000 feet, later declaring an emergency due to a loss of oil pressure in the right engine. The aircraft landed safely on runway 26R at Atlanta, where it was inspected before taxiing to the gate.
Delta 757 Engine Failure
This incident involved flight DL8962 using the aircraft registered as N666DN. After departing from Atlanta, the Boeing 757-200 initially climbed to 14,000 feet but soon needed to level off. The crew swiftly notified air traffic control of the engine issue and declared an emergency.
Recordings from air traffic control indicated that the pilots had 44 individuals on board, along with approximately 20,000 pounds of fuel. They confirmed there were no hazardous materials or infants present. With zero oil pressure in the right engine, the decision to return to Atlanta was made immediately.
Air traffic control then orchestrated a long final approach to runway 26R, allowing the crew to manage the situation calmly.
The landing was executed without further complications. The aircraft exited the runway and halted on a taxiway for inspection by emergency personnel.
Communication Between Atlanta ATC and Delta Pilots
Here’s a detailed exchange between the Delta DL8962 pilots and Atlanta ATC:
{ts:20}
ATC: Delta 8962,000. Delta 8962, line departure contact.
{ts:27}
ATC: Delta 8962. Climb and maintain 14,000.
Pilot: Delta 8962.
{ts:40}
Pilot: We need to maintain 10 here as we’ll likely return to you.
{ts:44}
ATC: Delta 8962, roger. Maintain 10,000. Continue your present heading.
Pilot: Present heading, Delta 8962.
{ts:55}
ATC: Delta 8962, turn right to heading 090.
Pilot: Atlanta, Delta 8962 will return and declare an emergency.
{ts:71}
ATC: Delta 8962, roger. When you can, please provide the nature of the emergency, number of souls on board, and fuel.
Pilot: We have 44 people and 20,000 pounds of fuel with right engine issues; there’s no oil pressure.
{ts:91}
ATC: Delta 8962, roger. Cleared to Atlanta via radar vector; turn right to heading 170.
Pilot: Right heading 170, Delta 8962.
ATC: Do you want a long final or a direct approach?
Pilot: A long final, Delta 8962.
ATC: Roger. Fly heading 150 and descend to maintain 6,000.
Pilot: 150 and down to 6,000, Delta 8962.
{ts:129}
ATC: Delta 8962, do you have hazmat or infants on board?
Pilot: No infants or hazmat on board, Delta 8962.
{ts:140}
ATC: Thank you. Delta 8962, golf is current at Atlanta. Winds 300/06, visibility 15,000 scattered, altimeter 3010.
Pilot: Copy all, thank you, Delta 8962.
{ts:166}
ATC: Delta 8962, what speed do you require?
Pilot: We’re good up to 250.
ATC: Roger, Delta 8962, speed is at your discretion.
Pilot: Understood, we’ll begin slowing. Thank you, Delta 8962.
{ts:180}
ATC: Roger. Delta 8962, descend and maintain 4,000.
Pilot: 4,000, Delta 8962.
{ts:193}
ATC: Delta 8962, turn right to heading 180.
Pilot: 180 heading, Delta 8962.
ATC: Delta 8962, turn right heading 255, intercept localizer for runway 26 right.
Pilot: 255, intercepting 26 right localizer, Delta 8962.
{ts:205}
ATC: Delta 8962, descend and maintain 3,000.
Pilot: Down to 3,000 feet, Delta 8962.
{ts:218}
ATC: Delta 8962, you’re three miles from Hannes. Maintain 3,000 until established on the localizer; cleared for ILS runway 26 right approach.
Pilot: 3,000 until established, cleared ILS 26 right, Delta 8962.
{ts:234}
ATC: Delta 8962, roger. Contact tower 119.1, have a good night.
Pilot: 119.1, Delta 8962.
{ts:254}
Pilot: Delta 8962 is with you, tower. Emergency aircraft, final approach 26 right.
ATC (Tower): Delta 8962, Atlanta tower, wind 320 at 9, runway 26 right, cleared to land.
Pilot: 320 at 9, cleared to land 26 right, Delta 8962.
{ts:290}
ATC (Tower): 8962, would you like to stop on the runway or taxi off?
Pilot: We can taxi off and will stop on the taxiway for Delta 8962.
{ts:300}
ATC: Delta 8962, make a left turn on Bravo, and then a full left on Bravo, hold short of taxiway Charlie, and let me know if you need assistance.
Pilot: Left on Bravo, we’ll hold short of Charlie, Delta 8962.
{ts:321}
ATC: Delta 8962, do you want rescue vehicles to inspect your plane or are you okay?
Pilot: Yes, we’d like them to inspect; we’ll set the parking brake, that would be great.
ATC (to rescue): R1, you hear that? Atlanta Tower, R4 going to head out.
{ts:351}
ATC (Rescue): R4, proceed to the emergency aircraft currently passing Bravo 4 on Bravo; looks like she stopped, that’s fine right there.
ATC: Delta 8962, you can hold right there; that vehicle will come to you.
Pilot: All right, we’ll hold right here, Delta 8962.
{ts:362}
ATC (Rescue): R1, the aircraft is between Bravo 3 and 4 on Bravo. You can cross runway 26 right and proceed to the aircraft.
{ts:378}
ATC (Rescue): Atlanta tower, from the fire chief, that’s going to be R4 heading down there to inspect the aircraft.
ATC: Okay, R4 is already on Bravo. The rest of the vehicles hold short of all runways; R4 is going to hold short of all runways, we’re going to meet them on Bravo.
{ts:392}
ATC (Rescue): Roger. Delta 8962, this is R4 and R3; we’re going to do a 360 on you.
Pilot: All right, Roger, Delta 8962.
{ts:402}
ATC (Rescue): Delta 8962, this is R4. We did a 360; we don’t see anything unusual.
Pilot: Thank you for checking; we appreciate it. Can you follow us to the gate tonight?
{ts:427}
ATC (Rescue): 8962, we can do that; we appreciate it.
ATC: 8962, do you know what gate you’re going to?
Pilot: We haven’t gotten that far, but I’ll let you know as soon as I can, Delta 8962.
The Boeing 757-200 continues to play a crucial role in Delta’s fleet for both passenger and charter services. Rapid loss of engine oil pressure is a serious concern that can lead to significant engine damage without prompt action from the crew.
