American Airlines A321 Returns to Dallas After Engine Failure

DALLAS- An American Airlines (AA) Airbus A321 experienced a left engine failure shortly after departure from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), prompting the crew to declare a MAYDAY and return to the airport on October 09, 2025.

Flight AA679, bound for Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), landed safely back at DFW after requesting emergency services and performing a visual approach to Runway 17C. The aircraft stopped briefly on the runway before taxiing to the gate.

Photo: Cado Photo

American Airlines A321 Returns to Dallas

Shortly after takeoff, the flight crew of American Airlines Flight 679 (AAL679) reported an engine malfunction, declaring a MAYDAY and requesting priority handling. Air traffic control immediately cleared the aircraft to maintain altitude and coordinate its return to DFW.

The pilots reported a failure in the left engine and confirmed 197 people on board with four and a half hours of fuel remaining. Despite the engine issue, the crew maintained stable control and opted for a direct return to Dallas for a full stop landing.

The Airbus A321 (registered as N926UW) climbed to 4,000 feet before turning back toward the airport.

ATC provided vectors for a visual approach to Runway 17 Center, where the aircraft landed safely approximately 15 minutes after departure.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – American Airlines, N106NN, Airbus A321-231, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41995921

Communication Between Crew and ATC

Here’s a detailed transcription between Delta Air Lines pilots and Dallas Air Traffic Controller (ATC) as flagged by You Can See ATC:

{ts:19}
Pilot: Mayday, mayday, mayday. American 679. Like to continue climbing out straight ahead, have an engine failure.
ATC: American 679, roger. Would you like to come back to Dallas for a full stop?
Pilot: Request crash crew.

{ts:36}
ATC: American 679, you’ll be best served on departure. Contact departure; they’ll have you right around.
Pilot: Roger, American 679. Departure, American 679, we just climb straight out, failure.

{ts:54}
ATC: What’s the emergency?
Pilot: Roger, contact back to Dallas for a full stop. Roger, airport radar climb to 4,000, mark 679.
Pilot: 4,000.

{ts:79}
Pilot: 4,000. Yes, sir, we make it to 4,000.
ATC: Roger. When you’re able, start a left heading 130.
Pilot: When able, left 130, American 679.

{ts:98}
ATC: Whenever you have a moment, which engine was failed? And obviously the fuel again, that’s whenever you have a moment.
Pilot: Okay, it’s left engine. We have souls of 197, fuel of four and a half hours.

{ts:140}
ATC: You’re going to want probably clear right along the runway.
Pilot: 679 clear.

{ts:168}
ATC: Current altimeter is 30.15.

{ts:213}
Pilot: 679 with you, 4,000.

{ts:232}
ATC: 679, turn left heading 270, descend and maintain 2,300.
Pilot: Left 270, down to 2,300, American 679.

{ts:246}
ATC: American 679, airport at your 9 o’clock and 7 miles.
Pilot: Roger, American 679.

{ts:259}
Pilot: Localizer…give us one sec, like… stand by for a sec, 679.

{ts:276}
ATC: Traffic straight ahead, 12 o’clock in 2 miles, southbound at 3,000, company 737.
Pilot: Roger.

{ts:280}
ATC: Make 679, turn left to intercept the field. Let me know when you see the field and if you can accept the approach. If not, I can take you back out.
Pilot: Roger, maintain this heading for now, then we need to turn around.

{ts:298}
ATC: Can you climb back up?
Pilot: 679, maintain 4,000.
ATC: Are you able to turn left now or prefer to stay at 3,000?
Pilot: Left turn, 3,000, 679.

{ts:316}
ATC: Left turn 13, maintain 3,000. Do you want to hold out for a bit?
Pilot: Thank you, sir. Like to come back in for landing.

{ts:329}
ATC: How long do you need?
Pilot: Give us an 8-mile final.

{ts:348}
ATC: Turn left heading 040. Are you wanting just an 8-mile final or at least an 8-mile final?
Pilot: Give us an 8-mile final, thanks.

{ts:368}
ATC: When ready, turn towards the airport.

{ts:379}
ATC: American 679, turn left heading 270.
Pilot: Heading 270, American 679.

{ts:388}
Pilot: Requesting 2,000 feet.
ATC: Maintain 2,000, 679.

{ts:402}
ATC: You’re 1 to 2 miles southbound at 4,000, Airbus in sight, American 679.
ATC: Turn left heading 020, intercept 17 Center localizer.
Pilot: Left 020, join the 17 Center localizer, American 679.

{ts:424}
ATC: Field 12 o’clock, 9 miles.
Pilot: American 679.

{ts:433}
ATC: Cleared visual approach, runway 17 Center.
Pilot: Cleared visual 17 Center, American 679.

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