All Nippon Airways, ANA Boeing 777 Returns to New York

NEW YORK— On July 15, 2025, All Nippon Airways (NH), ANA flight NH109 from New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) was forced to return to JFK after experiencing a technical malfunction shortly after departure.

The Boeing 777-300ER registered as JA784A encountered a mechanical issue that led to a precautionary decision to abort the trans-Pacific journey.

The flight, operated by ANA (NH), had departed JFK en route to Tokyo (HND) but remained in the vicinity of New York airspace for over an hour.

The crew reported a flap problem and coordinated with Air Traffic Control (ATC) to dump fuel and prepare for a safe return to JFK.

Photo: FlightRadar24

ANA 777 Returns to New York

Shortly after takeoff, ANA NH109, a Boeing 777-381(ER), notified ATC that they would stop their climb at 16,000 feet due to a system anomaly.

The crew clarified the issue as a flap malfunction, a critical component for controlling lift and speed during various flight phases.

Following aviation safety protocols, the crew requested to dump fuel to reduce the aircraft’s landing weight. ATC instructed the crew to initiate a holding pattern over Long Island, directing them to Deer Park VOR for the maneuver.

The aircraft completed approximately 40 minutes of fuel dumping at 10,000 feet, during which ATC alerted surrounding traffic of the ongoing operation.

ATC provided vectors for the approach to JFK’s Runway 22R, and the flight crew confirmed readiness to return.

NH109 safely landed at JFK without requiring emergency ground support. Post-landing, the aircraft was held on the tarmac, awaiting an available gate for disembarkation.

Photo- BriYYZ from Toronto, Canada; Wikimedia Commons

Passenger Experience and Communication Issues

Despite the successful handling of the mechanical issue, passengers onboard expressed frustration over poor communication from ANA.

According to firsthand accounts, passengers were not informed about the specific technical fault during the holding pattern or after landing. Travelers were kept on board for approximately 90 minutes before the flight was officially cancelled.

ANA informed passengers that rebooking details would be sent via email and mentioned a $500 hotel voucher offer. However, many passengers, including business travelers, reported delays in receiving rebooking options, forcing some to make alternate travel arrangements independently.

ATC Communication Transcript Overview

Real-time ATC communications revealed a systematic and professional handling of the in-flight emergency:

• The flight declared the need to return after the flap issue emerged.
• A fuel dump was approved and coordinated with ATC, with advisories issued to other aircraft.
• The crew consistently updated ATC with necessary metrics, including the number of persons on board (203) and fuel status (~52,500 pounds remaining pre-landing).
• Approach clearances and descent instructions were issued seamlessly, ensuring the flight’s safe return.

Photo- Lufthansa Technik (X)

Aircraft and Operational Context

• Flight: ANA NH109
• Aircraft: Boeing 777-381(ER) (Reg: JA784A)
• Route: New York JFK to Tokyo HND
• Incident Date: July 15, 2025
• Total Souls Onboard: 203

All Nippon Airways, renowned for its service quality, faces criticism following this incident for inadequate communication during an abnormal operations event. No injuries were reported, and the aircraft was later towed for maintenance inspection.

As of July 19, the aircraft remained grounded at New York JFK.

Here’s a detailed transcript shared by you can see ATC, a YouTube channel:

Initial Climb and Flap Trouble

• Departure: “Departure, ANA109 Heavy, leaving 1,500 [feet].”
• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, departure radar contact, maintain 14,000, turn left heading 090.”
• Crew: “Climbing 14,000, turning left 090, ANA109 Heavy.”
• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, turn left heading 010, contact departure 118.17.”
• Crew: “Heading 010 and we’ll stop climb at 16,000, ANA109 Heavy, due to… we have trouble with the system.”
• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, do you need assistance, anything?”
• Crew: “Just a moment… we are conducting the checklist and contacting the company. Heading 010 and stop climb 16,000.”

Decision to Return and Arrange Fuel Dump

• Crew: “Now we need to dump.”
• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, do you need to return?”
• Crew: “Affirmative.”
• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, state souls on board.”
• Crew: “203.”
• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, you can start your fuel dump.”

Fuel Dumping and Holding Pattern

• Crew: “Can I start fuel dumping?”
• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, affirmative.”
• Crew: “We need about 40 minutes for fuel dump.”
• ATC: “Roger. And ANA109 Heavy, what’s the reason for the return?”
• Crew: “Flap trouble.”
• ATC: “Roger. What runway will you be requesting? ILS 22L or 22R?”
• Crew: “We’re now thinking of 22R, but I’ll confirm later.”
• ATC gives holding instructions at Deer Park VOR, 20-mile leg, right turns.

ATC Broadcast to Other Aircraft:

“Attention all aircraft, fuel dumping in progress about 10 miles east of Kennedy, at 10,000 feet by a heavy triple seven.”

Further Fuel Dump and Approach Preparation

• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, when able, fly heading 250.”
• Crew: “Heading 250, ANA109 Heavy.”
• ATC: “When able, fly direct Deer Park VOR, hold southwestbound on the 224 radial.”
• Crew: “Confirmed, holding at Delta Papa Kilo inbound 224 radial.”

Vectoring and Final Approach

• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, are you ready for the approach? Roger, vectors 22R, understand fuel dumping terminated.”
• ATC: “How much fuel do you have remaining in pounds?”
• Crew: “52,500.”
• ATC: “State airspeed.”
• Crew: “190 knots.”
• ATC: “Descend maintain 5,000.”

Final Descent and Landing

• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, descend maintain 2,000, turn left heading 250 to intercept localizer.”
• ATC: “ANA109 Heavy, 6 miles from MATTER, maintain 2,000 till established, cleared ILS 22R approach.”
• ATC: “Contact tower 123.9.”

Tower Communications after Landing

• Tower: “ANA109 Heavy, runway 22R, cleared to land. Equipment will be standing by.”
• Tower: “Do you require any assistance?”
• Crew: “No need for assistance, but our gate will open [after] 20 minutes.”
• Tower: “Roger, hold short of Kilo 4.”

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