A Delta Air Lines flight from Shanghai to Detroit made an emergency landing at Tokyo Haneda Airport on November 28, 2019, after experiencing hydraulic problems mid-flight. The aircraft, an Airbus A350-900 operating as Delta Flight 388, was about 140 nautical miles (259 km) from Tokyo when the crew decided to divert to the nearest major airport for safety.
Upon arrival, the flight crew declared an emergency, prompting the closure of the runway for approximately 30 minutes. Emergency teams were on standby and met the aircraft as it landed safely on Runway 34R. The decision to divert was made out of caution, underscoring the airline’s commitment to passenger safety.
Delta Air Lines operates a daily non-stop service between Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). This route typically takes around 13 hours. On that day, the flight had departed from Shanghai at 17:46 local time and was en route to the United States when the hydraulic issue arose.
Following the emergency landing, Delta spokesperson confirmed, “On Nov. 28, the crew of Delta Flight 388 followed procedures to divert to Tokyo-Haneda after reporting a mechanical issue while en route from Shanghai to Detroit. The aircraft landed safely, and we apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel plans. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and crew.”
Details of the Incident
The A350 was greeted by emergency services upon landing, and after being towed to the gate, the flight was subsequently cancelled. Data from Flightradar24 indicated that the nearly seven-year-old aircraft, registered as N512DN, remained on the apron overnight. It was later repositioned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, departing from Haneda as flight DL9888 on November 29 at 23:14 and arriving in Seattle at 14:26.
Delta added a corresponding service under the same flight number to Detroit, which reached its destination at 23:02 that same day. The aircraft has since returned to its regular flight schedule, operating from Detroit to Seoul on November 30, and is set to run flight DL26 from Seoul to Atlanta on December 1.
Aircraft and System Overview
The aircraft involved in this incident, N512DN, is an Airbus A350-941, with a serial number of 267. It made its first test flight under French registration on December 12, 2018, and was delivered to Delta on January 26, 2019. This aircraft features a three-class layout, accommodating 32 Business, 48 Premium Economy, and 226 Economy class seats.
Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engines, this Airbus A350 is one of 38 in operation for Delta, with an additional six on order. The airline is also set to receive the larger A350-1000 model in 2026. Hydraulic issues on the Airbus A350 are generally rare but can result in uncommanded flight surface movements, prompting airlines to take a cautious approach to ensure safety.
Delta’s prompt response to the hydraulic issue and subsequent emergency landing illustrates the airline’s prioritization of passenger safety and adherence to aviation regulations. As investigations continue into the specific nature of the hydraulic problem, Delta remains committed to maintaining high standards in its operations.
