Delta Air Lines recently encountered an operational challenge with one of its flights. On April 14, a Boeing 737-900ER en route from Tucson International Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was compelled to return to Tucson due to an issue with the left engine.
Shortly after reaching an altitude of over 17,000 feet, the flight’s crew identified the mechanical issue and implemented emergency procedures to ensure safety. They declared an emergency, and while there were no injuries among passengers, precautionary measures were taken. As a Delta spokesperson stated, “Delta flight 937 returned to Tucson, AZ (TUS) shortly after takeoff following indication of a mechanical issue with the aircraft’s left engine. The crew followed procedures to return to TUS and declare an emergency as a precaution. Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travels.”
History shows such technical malfunctions are not unprecedented. In January, a Qantas flight and, in November 2024, a Sun Country flight also faced engine issues, leading them to make necessary diversions.
Delta Air Lines ensures routine flights between Tucson International Airport and its hub at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport under flight DL937. The aircraft involved this time, registered as N892DN, was delivered in March 2018 and is over seven years old.
Delta’s fleet includes a mixture of both widebody and narrowbody aircraft, with the Boeing 737-900ER making up a significant part of it. According to current data, Delta operates 161 active units of this model.
Recently, Delta has also been highlighted for addressing other operational issues, including cabin pressurization incidents in early April. Additionally, the airline’s CEO, Ed Bastian, announced a decision to defer Airbus deliveries due to cost implications from imposed tariffs.
