Delta Airlines Flight Returns to Amsterdam Due to Landing Gear Issue
A Delta Airlines Airbus A330-300, operating flight DL-161 from Amsterdam to Minneapolis, was forced to return to Amsterdam shortly after takeoff on October 2, 2024. The crew encountered an issue with the landing gear, which could not be retracted during the aircraft’s ascent. In response, the pilots stopped the climb at 6,000 feet and made the decision to return to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where the plane landed safely on runway 06 approximately 40 minutes after departure.
The issue, which arose just minutes into the transatlantic flight, led to a swift and calm response from the flight crew. Passengers on board were informed of the situation and the need to return for safety reasons.
The aircraft has remained grounded in Amsterdam for over 44 hours since the incident. Maintenance teams are reportedly working on resolving the technical issue with the landing gear. While the situation caused delays for the passengers, safety protocols ensured that there was no further escalation of the problem.
Delta Airlines has not yet provided an official update on the expected return to service for the aircraft or the cause of the landing gear failure. This incident may prompt further inspection of the Airbus A330-300 fleet to prevent similar occurrences in the future.