ATLANTA- A Delta Air Lines (DL) Airbus A330, operating as flight DL 169 from Barcelona El Prat (BCN) to New York JFK (JFK), made an emergency landing back to Barcelona after encountering a severe hailstorm. The incident caused significant damage to the aircraft, grounding it for inspections.
This article explores the details of the event, the extent of the damage, and Delta’s history with similar incidents. It highlights the airline’s response and the broader implications for flight safety in adverse weather.
Photo: By Curimedia – Airbus A330-323X Delta Air Lines N805NW, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23488002Delta A330 Emergency Landing
On Saturday afternoon, Delta Air Lines (DL) flight DL 169, an Airbus A330-300, departed Barcelona El Prat (BCN) bound for New York JFK (JFK).
Shortly after takeoff, during its initial climb to 20,000 feet, the aircraft encountered a severe hailstorm. The pilots, facing hazardous conditions, descended to 8,000 feet and entered a holding pattern off the Costa Brava coast.
After circling, the plane safely returned to Barcelona, where passengers deplaned via mobile airstairs.
Social media posts from eyewitnesses revealed extensive damage to the aircraft’s nose, including a large dent and widespread hail impact marks.
The 9-year-old Airbus A330-300 remains grounded at Barcelona El Prat (BCN) for detailed inspections to ensure airworthiness.
According to PYOK, passengers reported receiving severe weather alerts on their phones during taxiing, indicating a storm in the area just before takeoff.
Flight Details
- Flight Number: DL169
- Route: Barcelona El Prat (BCN) to New York JFK (JFK)
- Aircraft: Airbus A330-300, 9 years old
- Incident Time: Saturday afternoon
- Damage Observed: Large dent on the nose, hail impact marks across the radome
The visible damage underscores the intensity of the hailstorm. Engineers are conducting thorough inspections to assess structural integrity, focusing on critical components like the radome and fuselage.
The aircraft’s prolonged grounding reflects the airline’s prioritization of safety following such incidents.
Photo: Clément AlloingDelta’s Similar Hailstorm Incidents
This event marks yet another instance of Delta Air Lines facing hail-related operational disruptions.
Just weeks prior, severe summer weather, including hailstorms, forced Delta to ground approximately 100 aircraft at its primary hub in Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL).
Aircraft exposed to the storm were immediately withdrawn from service for detailed structural inspections. Thanks to expedited overnight maintenance, all were cleared to resume operations by the following morning.
In July 2023, a Delta Boeing 767 suffered substantial hail damage shortly after departing Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP).
That flight was diverted to Rome (FCO) due to damage, including engine fan blade impacts, cracked windshields, and wing punctures. That aircraft, too, was taken out of service for major repairs.
Photo: Clément AlloingOperational Protocols
In each hailstorm-related case, Delta has followed standard safety procedures, returning aircraft for assessment, removing affected planes from service, and initiating engineering inspections.
These protocols are critical for maintaining structural integrity, particularly for aircraft flying through turbulent or storm-prone regions.
Airlines globally rely heavily on up-to-date weather radar and ground-based alerts, but hailstorms, especially in coastal and mountainous regions like Catalonia, can form rapidly and unpredictably.
Enhanced coordination between flight dispatch, meteorological services, and cockpit crews is essential in managing such threats.
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