NEWARK— A Delta Air Lines (DL) Boeing 737-900 experienced an engine failure shortly after departing Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on October 21, 2025. The flight, operating as DL1009, was en route to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) when the crew declared a mayday and requested an immediate return.
The 10.8-year-old aircraft, registered as N832DN, landed safely on runway 22L at Newark after performing an ILS approach. Emergency services inspected the jet upon landing before it taxied off the active runway.
Delta 737 Emergency Landing at Newark
Delta Air Lines Flight DL1009 departed Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) at around 8:00 a.m. local time, bound for Salt Lake City (SLC). While climbing through approximately 8,400 feet, the crew reported a left engine failure and declared a mayday to air traffic control.
According to radio communication transcripts, the flight crew confirmed the emergency, reporting 156 people on board and roughly 35,900 pounds of fuel remaining. Controllers directed the aircraft into a holding pattern to allow the pilots to complete their checklists before initiating a return.
The crew requested and received clearance for an ILS approach to runway 22L. After a stable approach, the aircraft landed safely and was met by emergency vehicles for inspection.
Delta confirmed that the passengers and crew were safe, and maintenance teams began a post-flight evaluation of the affected engine.
The ATC recordings show clear and composed coordination between the Delta pilots and New York air traffic controllers throughout the incident.
The crew’s immediate declaration of an emergency and detailed communication on fuel and personnel allowed controllers to manage airspace effectively.
Emergency services were pre-positioned at the runway prior to landing, and after touchdown, the pilots requested an on-site inspection before proceeding to the gate.
ATC and Delta Pilots Comms
Here’s a detailed transcription of communication between Delta pilots and Newark Air Traffic Controller as flagged by You Can See ATC:
{ts:19}
Pilot: Departure, Delta 1009, 1,500 climbing to 3,500.
{ts:27}
ATC: Delta 1009, radar contact, climb and maintain 3,000. Turn right direct to PARKE.
Pilot: 3,000, right turn direct PARKE, Delta 1009.
{ts:31}
ATC: Delta 1009, you can go direct COATE, climb to 10,000.
Pilot: Direct COATE, 10,000, Delta 1009.
{ts:39}
ATC: Delta 1009, contact New York 18.17.
Pilot: 18.17, Delta 1009.
{ts:52}
ATC: Delta 1009, good morning.
Pilot: Delta 1009, 8,400 climbing 10,000.
{ts:62}
Pilot: Mayday, mayday, mayday. Delta 1009, we’ve lost left engine.
ATC: Roger. Are you declaring emergency?
Pilot: Yes, we are declaring emergency.
{ts:83}
Pilot: Delta 1009, present heading and we’ll be returning to New York.
ATC: Roger.
{ts:91}
ATC: Delta 1009, souls on board and fuel remaining?
Pilot: We have 156 souls on board.
{ts:105}
Pilot: Fuel remaining, six hours.
ATC: Delta 1009, turn left heading 260.
Pilot: Left heading 260, Delta 1009.
{ts:115}
ATC: Delta 1009, when you have a chance, can you give the fuel remaining in pounds?
Pilot: 35,900 pounds.
{ts:135}
ATC: Roger, Delta 1009, contact approach 128.55.
Pilot: 128.55, Delta 1009.
{ts:147}
ATC: Delta 1009, you with me?
Pilot: Yeah, with you, Delta 1009. Emergency aircraft, 10,000, heading 260.
{ts:155}
ATC: Do you need any time to come back in or checklists, or are you ready?
Pilot: We need time, Delta 1009.
{ts:163}
ATC: Delta 1009, descend and maintain 9,000.
Pilot: Descend and maintain 9,000, Delta 1009.
{ts:169}
ATC: Just let me know when you’re ready to come back in, which runway you’d like, and I’ll need more information from you.
Pilot: We’re starting down 9,000. We’ll let you know when we’re ready to come back in. We’ll expect 22 left.
ATC: Plan on ILS for runway 22 left.
{ts:188}
ATC: When you can, give personnel on board and fuel remaining inside.
Pilot: Personnel on board, 156. Fuel remaining: about six hours, 35,000 pounds.
{ts:204}
ATC: Delta 1009, turn left heading 180.
Pilot: Heading 180, Delta 1009.
{ts:212}
ATC: Fly heading 160.
Pilot: Heading 160, Delta 1009.
{ts:226}
ATC: When you can, descend and maintain 6,000.
Pilot: 6,000, Delta 1009.
{ts:240}
ATC: Turn left heading 090.
Pilot: Left turn 090, Delta 1009.
{ts:255}
ATC: Turn left heading 360.
Pilot: Left turn heading 360, Delta 1009.
{ts:264}
ATC: Speed is your discretion. When you get a chance, let me know what speed you need.
Pilot: Stand by.
{ts:275}
ATC: Turn right heading 040.
Pilot: Right turn 040, Delta 1009.
{ts:289}
ATC: Fly heading 080.
Pilot: Heading 080, Delta 1009.
{ts:295}
ATC: For my planning, how much longer do you need before ready to come in?
Pilot: A few more minutes, Delta 1009.
{ts:302}
ATC: Maintain 5,000, float is 210.
Pilot: 5,000 float, 210, Delta 1009.
{ts:315}
ATC: Frequency now 120.15, he’s aware of everything.
Pilot: 120.15, thanks, Delta 1009. Approach, Delta 1009, 5,800 descending 5,000. We’ll slow to 10 when we’re down.
{ts:326}
ATC: New York estimated 30.06, I’ve got you in line now to come in, do you need more time?
Pilot: Got you number four right now, about 20 minutes, I think that should be good, Delta 1009.
{ts:345}
ATC: If you need anything, just let me know. You can turn right heading 090.
Pilot: Right turn 090, Delta 1009, thanks.
{ts:349}
ATC: Maintain 4,000.
Pilot: Maintain 4,000, Delta 1009.
{ts:360}
ATC: Want to stay fast or slow?
Pilot: We’re slowing down.
{ts:368}
ATC: Let me know what you need.
ATC: Heading 120, you can start to slow to 190 knots.
Pilot: Heading 120, discretion 3,000, Delta 1009.
{ts:384}
ATC: About 10 miles ’til I turn you on, you’re good to come in.
Pilot: Thank you.
{ts:403}
ATC: Turn right heading 140, speed your discretion.
Pilot: 140, Delta 1009.
{ts:415}
ATC: Turn right heading 190, maintain 3,000. Actually, you can maintain 2,500 until you’re established, clear ILS 22 left.
Pilot: 190, 2,500 established, clear ILS 22 left, Delta 1009.
{ts:433}
ATC: Speed your discretion, traffic landing left to right on runway 29. Call tower now, 118.3.
Pilot: 118.3, Delta 1009. Tower, Delta 1009.
{ts:449}
Tower: Delta 1009, traffic landing 29, your arrival and depart 22 left, wind calm, runway 22 left, clear to land, truck standing by.
Pilot: 22 left, clear to land, Delta 1009.
{ts:456}
Tower: Do you need any assistance, and will you be able to taxi to the gate?
Pilot: Should be able to taxi to the gate. Pulse on Victor here, can we have a truck come out and check everything?
Tower: Delta 1009 at Victor, hold short of 22 right, truck will take a look.
{ts:491}
Tower: Switch to 134.05 to talk to the truck.
Pilot: 34.05, we’ll talk to you on the way back, Delta 1009.
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