Amsterdam-Bound Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-300 returns to Minneapolis–St. Paul Due to flaps issue

A Delta Air Lines flight headed to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport had to return to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) shortly after takeoff on Sunday, February 2, 2025, due to a mechanical issue with the aircraft’s flaps, according to local news channel KTSP.

The flight, DL160, had originally departed the airport at 15:37 local time but returned just over an hour later after the pilots reported a malfunction with the issue.

No one was hurt

Before making an emergency landing back at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Airbus A330-300 , which was carrying 272 passengers, circled the Twin Cities to burn fuel, according to Flight Aware data.

About 45 minutes after the jet first turned back, at around 17:22 local time, the aircraft safely touched down.

In a statement to Simple Flying responding to the inquiry about the incident, a Delta spokesperson said:

"Delta flight 160 from Minneapolis to Amsterdam returned safely to the airport shortly after takeoff Sunday evening, after pilots reported a mechanical issue with the aircraft's flaps. We apologize to our customers for this delay in their travels."

Delta also said that all passengers have been accommodated on other flights to Amsterdam.

A closer look at the aircraft

According to Flight Aware data, the Airbus A330-300, with the registration number N827NW, was grounded overnight at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport after the landing.

The airplane is planned to depart Minneapolis for Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) on Tuesday, February 4.

The Airbus A330-300 involved in the diversion is a relatively new addition to Delta's fleet, having been delivered in April 2016.

The plane is configured to carry a mix of 34 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 227 standard economy seats, according to the information on Planespotters.net.

Currently, Delta Air Lines has a total of 11 Airbus A330-200s in service, with 8 active and 3 parked, averaging 19.8 years of age. The airline operates 31 Airbus A330-300s, with 29 in service and 2 parked, averaging 16.1 years.

Additionally, Delta has 32 Airbus A330-900s, with 30 in service and 2 parked, averaging just 2.8 years. For the flight between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Amsterdam on February 3, Delta is operating an Airbus A330-900.

Similar incidents

A similar situation happened in October of last year when a 130-passenger American Airlines flight had to divert to Bakersfield's Meadows Field. The aircraft from Dallas to San Luis Obispo was diverted because of a landing flap malfunction.

The plane safely landed around 12:00 and was escorted by two fire trucks until it docked. The call for the fire department was for a potential brake fire, according to NBC affiliate Bakersfield KGET TV.

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-800 that was traveling from Oakland, California, to Reno, Nevada, last November was forced to divert to Sacramento due to an issue with flaps during approach.

A Southwest Airlines spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News that "the Crew reported an illuminated flap warning light during the flight’s initial descent. The Crew followed safety procedures and landed without incident."

What are flaps?

The flaps on an aircraft are crucial for adjusting lift and controlling the plane during takeoff and landing.

A malfunction with this component, although not uncommon in aviation, can significantly affect the handling of the aircraft, making it necessary for pilots to return to the airport as a precaution.

There are two primary types of flaps: leading-edge and trailing-edge, each with various designs. They are mounted near the root of the wing, between the ailerons and the fuselage.

The pilot controls the flaps via a lever in the cockpit, which offers several settings, each adjusting the flap angle.

In larger commercial aircraft, flaps are typically operated hydraulically, while in smaller aircraft, they are usually controlled by electric motors.

The flaps of large aircraft can have up to three sections, which can be extended during takeoff and landing as needed. The flaps on smaller aircraft are hinged to the wings and are the proper size.