Summary
- Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 pilots reportedly aborted landing due to unsafe nose gear indication.
- The aircraft conducted a low approach to confirm nose gear deployment before landing safely.
- Delta is the largest Boeing 757 operator, and despite newer aircraft, they are likely to continue flying the 757.
The pilots of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 aircraft reportedly aborted the approach to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) due to an unsafe nose gear indication.
A potential gear problem
On May 9, 2024, the Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 aircraft, registered as N538US, operated a routine hour-and-a-half flight DL 1435 between Milwaukee General Mitchel International Airport (MKE) and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in the United States, according to Flightradar24.com.
However, when approaching Atlanta (ATL), the pilots of the Boeing 757 aborted the approach upon receiving an unsafe nose gear indication, as reported by The Aviation Herald. The Boeing 757 aircraft was carrying 199 passengers and six crew members.
After entering a holding pattern for approximately an hour, the aircraft conducted a low approach to runway 27R at Atlanta, confirming the deployment of the nose gear, according to the report. Soon after, the Boeing 757 safely landed on the same runway roughly 25 minutes after the low approach and approximately 90 minutes following the initial aborted approach.
About Delta’s Boeing 757
The aircraft in question is Delta’s 28.3-year-old Boeing 757-200, according to Planespotters.net. The Boeing 757 was delivered to Delta in 2008, having previously operated with Northwest Airlines before its merger with Delta Air Lines.
According to ch-aviation, Delta’s Boeing 757-200 can accommodate a total of 199 passengers in a three-class cabin configuration, including economy, economy plus, and business class. The aircraft’s economy cabin can seat 150 passengers, economy plus can accommodate 29, and business class can seat up to 20 passengers.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Delta Air Lines is the largest Boeing 757 operator in the world, with a total of 127 aircraft: 111 of the smaller variant Boeing 757-200s and 16 of the larger variant Boeing 757-300s.
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Recently Refurbished: How Long Will Delta Air Lines Keep Flying The Boeing 757 For?
With interior overhauls underway, it is likely the carrier will continue to operate the aircraft type for as long as it is able to.
Boeing introduced the Boeing 757 series four decades ago. Delta Air Lines has been utilizing 757s since the 1980s. Even though series production ceased two decades ago, the 757 remains in service today, albeit with fewer carriers compared to its peak years. Predominantly operated by US carriers, the aircraft maintains its significance in the operations of Delta Air Lines.
While numerous airlines have retired their 757s, Delta has chosen to retain them in its fleet. This decision came despite the development of newer, more fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft following Boeing’s cessation of 757 production.
It is worth noting that the carrier will likely continue to operate this aircraft type for as long as possible, especially since it has recently refurbished the interiors of some of its Boeing 757s.
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Refreshed: Delta Air Lines Completes First Boeing 757-200 Cabin Interior Overhaul
The new look features updated first class seats and mood lighting.
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