(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Leonardo DiCaprio escaped an air disaster when the engine of a plane he was on shut down.

The 36-year-old Hollywood actor was one of the passengers on a Delta flight whose engine unexpectedly shut down while travelling to the Russian city of Moscow, forcing the commercial plane to return to JFK International Airport in New York.

Leonardo was impressed with the actions of the staff on board, with his representative telling US Magazine that the star "wishes to commend the actions of the pilot and flight crew in bringing the plane to a safe landing".

The movie star was on his way to attend the Tiger Summit, an important union to discuss ways to prevent the extinction of tigers. The event is being held in the city of St. Petersburg and is headed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Despite the turmoil he experienced on board, Leonardo was said to have still been in good spirits upon landing in New York, and was happy to offer his signature to fans.

"Leo signed autographs for all the crew members when they landed," explained a source.

The actor is now thought to be on his way to St. Petersburg, and is looking forward to the meeting. Leonardo is expected to present a $1 million gift to the World Wildlife Fund to help protect tigers, on behalf of the California Community Foundation's Leonardo DiCaprio Fund. Leonardo set up the fund in a bid to aid the many environmental issues he cares so passionately about. (C) Cover Media