Delta Amsterdam to Minneapolis Flight with A350 Makes Emergency Landing

AMSTERDAM- Delta Air Lines (DL) faced a mid-flight emergency when flight DL161 from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) was forced to return shortly after departure on September 8, 2025.

The Airbus A350-900 (N521DN) had climbed over the North Sea when the crew reported a pneumatic system problem and declared an emergency, leading to a diversion back to AMS.

Photo: FlightRadar24

Delta Minneapolis Flight Emergency

Flight DL161, operated by Delta Air Lines (DL), departed from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) on 8 September 2025, bound for Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP).

The aircraft, an Airbus A350-941, lifted off from runway 24 at 09:40 local time. Just 45 minutes into the journey, while cruising at 33,700 feet, the crew encountered a technical malfunction with the pneumatic system, Aviation A2Z sources reported.

The issue required the flight crew to declare an emergency, broadcasting squawk code 7700. Air traffic control immediately cleared the aircraft to turn back toward Amsterdam.

The A350 entered a holding pattern over the North Sea before safely returning to Schiphol at approximately 11:30 local time.

Photo: Clément Alloing

The aircraft involved was just a 1.4-year-old Airbus A350-941, registered as N521DN, featuring special Team USA. This jet is part of Delta’s long-haul fleet, commonly deployed on transatlantic routes. It was scheduled for the roughly 6,705 km journey, which typically takes just over eight hours.

On modern aircraft, the pneumatic system is critical, supplying pressurization, air conditioning, and power for engine starts, as well as anti-icing functions. A malfunction in this system can affect multiple aircraft operations, making a precautionary return necessary for safety.

Photo: JFK Spotting

Similar Incident

A Delta Air Lines (DL) flight from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) declared an emergency while approaching the United States due to a hydraulic system failure.

The Airbus A330-300 (registration N804NW), operating as flight DL183, reported the malfunction to Boston Center and requested emergency assistance on landing. The crew cited the loss of nose wheel steering and the need to extend the landing gear manually.

Photo: By Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland – Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-223; N861NW@AMS;09.12.2010/590dg, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26719319

Hydraulic Failure During Transatlantic Flight

Flight DL183 departed Rome (FCO) with 279 people on board, bound for New York (JFK). As the aircraft began its descent into U.S. airspace, the flight crew detected a failure in one of the hydraulic systems, forcing them to declare an emergency.

Air traffic control communications confirmed that the crew reported an inability to operate the nose wheel steering system, which is critical for maneuvering the aircraft on the ground. To manage the situation safely, the pilots also had to lower the landing gear manually, a backup procedure used in the event of hydraulic loss.

Emergency services at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) were alerted in advance. With approximately 23,000 lbs of fuel still on board, the aircraft required careful handling upon touchdown. The landing was executed safely on Runway 31L, after which the aircraft came to a complete stop.

Due to the inoperative steering system, the crew requested a tug vehicle to tow the Airbus A330-300 from the runway. This ensured that the aircraft could be moved without further risk.

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