THIS is the shocking moment a jet engine erupts into flames just moments after take-off as passengers fear for their lives.
Terrifying footage shows the left turbine of an Atlanta-bound aircraft glow bright orange as it catches fire.
As the plane climbs higher into the night sky, the engine ripples with further explosions.
Air traffic control quickly got in contact with Delta Air Lines flight A330-323.
“Delta, you have fire on your wings,” a controller is heard saying.
The pilot responds: “We know, we will need to return.”
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Inside the cabin, screams can be heard as passengers start to panic.
However, the pilot is quick to reassure them the aircraft is stable enough to land.
Outside the aircraft, scorched material could be seen plummeting to the ground and setting fire to grass beside the runway.
After declaring mayday, the pilot successfully performed an emergency landing moments later.
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Upon touch down, emergency services rushed onto the tarmac to put out the fire.
The harrowing ordeal took place just after midnight at Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo, one of the largest transport hubs in Latin America.
The flight lasted just over nine minutes before the pilot was suddenly forced to turn back.
Around 300 passengers were on board at the time but fortunately no injuries were reported.
Delta Air Lines later confirmed the flight had been cancelled due to a mechanical issue, apologising to passengers for the disruption.
An inquiry is now ongoing to determine the exact cause of the dramatic engine explosion.
It is not the first time a commercial flight has been forced to make an emergency landing in horrifying circumstances.
Last week, an aircraft in Colombia had to turn back after it struck a bird during takeoff, setting fire to one of the engines.
The passengers reportedly heard a loud noise causing one passenger to believe they were being shot at.
Some even feared they were going to die as smoke billowed through the cabin.
The pilot then hurriedly turned around and returned to Ernesto Cortissoz Barranquilla International Airport.
Passenger Denis Molina Fontalvo, who conducted a prayer in the cabin during the ordeal, said: “We thought we were on the verge of death.
“While it was trying to ascend, we heard a loud noise.
“I was terrified, I said ‘someone’s shooting at us’, that was my first impression.
“I said to myself, ‘dear God, receive me with love and forgive my mistakes and my failings’.
“Then I assumed the crash position and said ‘please let it land in the water and not on the ground, Lord’.”
