Frank Grillo’s Near-Death Plane Drama and His Sudden Legacy Confession
Okay, I’ll explain, but try to keep up.
by Jordan Collins
Actor Frank Grillo dropped a haunting confession about his own mortality just moments before the engines on his Delta Flight 446 burst into flames seconds after takeoff. The 60-year-old star, best known for his roles in action thrillers and the Marvel universe, was candid about ticking off major life goals when TMZ caught up with him at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday.
Grillo revealed that one of his top priorities is to ensure his children are financially and emotionally secure before he checks out of this life. “I still want to see them succeed,” he said, noting that preparing his legacy feels more urgent now than ever. He reflected on reaching milestone age 60 and knowing he has limited time to craft the final chapters of his story.
And then came the twist. Moments after expressing his desire to complete a bucket list and put his family first, Grillo and 226 fellow passengers plus nine crew members witnessed a terrifying sight when one of the twin turbine engines caught fire.
Sources tell TMZ that Delta Flight 446 lifted off from runway 25R, climbed for only a few seconds, and suddenly began to shudder as thick black smoke trailed from the right engine. Pilots immediately cut power to that engine and circled back to LAX for an emergency landing that avoided any injuries but left nerves frayed.
By the time the aircraft taxied to the gate, the fire had been extinguished, but Grillo was far from impressed. He documented the incident in real time on his Instagram Story, posting a photo of the charred engine with the caption that Delta staff “barely lifted a finger” to assist passengers once on the ground. His reward for the ordeal? A $12 meal voucher. Suffice it to say, that did not meet his standards.
Despite the scare, Grillo maintained his cool and reminded himself, and anyone listening, that life’s precious moments can be ripped away in an instant. He quipped that the ordeal gave him fresh perspective on why he’s so keen to finalize trust documents and investment plans for his kids. After all, he reasoned, if you’re going to flirt with catastrophe, you’d better have your affairs in order.
This brush with disaster underscores a larger trend among public figures setting long-term goals as they enter their seventh decade. Whether it’s estate planning, writing memoirs, or simply savoring family dinners, Grillo’s warning is clear: don’t wait until it’s too late.
In the aftermath, Delta Airlines released a statement confirming the safe return of Flight 446 and praising the crew’s quick response. Investigators from the FAA have been called in to review maintenance records and determine the root cause of the engine malfunction.
Grillo’s candid remarks about a “death wish” and his intimate priorities, combined with a literal brush with flames, make this a lesson in balancing risk and responsibility. Stay tuned for our follow-up when more details emerge about the FAA report and any possible policy changes at Delta.
Well, now you finally understand!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
