Flight Details
Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-232
Operator: Delta Air Lines
Registration: N698DL
Flight Number: DL1329
Route: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Florida to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
Date of Incident: 30 April 2025
Total Occupants: 189 (Passengers and Crew)
Weather Conditions: VFR, clear skies, light wind
Introduction
On 30 April 2025, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 operating flight DL1329 from Jacksonville to Atlanta encountered a flap malfunction shortly after departure from Jacksonville International Airport. The crew discontinued the climb at low altitude and safely returned to the departure airport. The flight was later completed by a replacement aircraft. The incident has been classified as a serious incident by FAA standards, and an internal investigation has been launched to identify the root cause of the flap malfunction.
Sequence of Events
Flight DL1329 departed runway 08 at Jacksonville at approximately 09:55 local time, with a scheduled flight time of just under an hour to Atlanta. Initial climb appeared routine, and air traffic control cleared the aircraft to climb to cruising altitude.
Approximately three minutes after takeoff, as the aircraft reached around 3,000 feet, the flight crew reported flap control issues, indicating that the flaps had either failed to retract or were giving abnormal indications. This issue prompted the crew to level off and enter a holding pattern to assess the situation and consult with company maintenance and operations control.
Flap asymmetry or incomplete retraction on a Boeing 757 can cause significant drag and pitch anomalies, which must be resolved before further climb or high-speed flight. With the aircraft maintaining a conservative configuration, the captain requested vectors back to runway 08 and began a slow descent, performing standard QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) checklists related to flap malfunctions.
The aircraft touched down safely on runway 08 approximately 40 minutes after departure. No emergency was declared, but airport emergency services were placed on precautionary standby. The aircraft taxied to the gate without further incident. There were no reported injuries among the passengers or crew.
Crew & Communication
The flight was crewed by two experienced pilots. The captain, with over 15,000 hours of flight time, and the first officer, with approximately 6,000 hours, executed standard procedures for abnormal configuration. Upon detection of the flap issue, the captain communicated promptly with Jacksonville Approach and declared their intention to hold while troubleshooting.
No formal emergency was declared, and the crew maintained continuous contact with ATC during the return. The captain advised ATC that no external assistance was required unless the flap issue escalated. The communications were clear, coordinated, and in line with FAA expectations.
Aircraft Systems & Technical Analysis
The Boeing 757 is equipped with a high-lift system that includes leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps. These systems are hydraulically actuated and electrically monitored. A malfunction in the trailing-edge flaps can result from actuator failure, electrical faults in the control module, flap track damage, or a fault in position sensors.
The precise nature of the flap malfunction aboard N698DL is still under technical evaluation. However, according to airline sources, the malfunction involved a discrepancy in flap position indication. The aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder is expected to show a mismatch between selected and actual flap positions, which may have triggered ECAM or EICAS messages in the cockpit.
Initial inspections did not reveal physical damage to the flap assemblies, indicating the malfunction may have been software-related or sensor-driven. Maintenance teams replaced several components in the flap position feedback system as a precaution.
This aircraft had no history of prior flap control issues in recent weeks, based on maintenance records. The system failure is currently considered an isolated event.
Passenger Experience & Cabin Conditions
Cabin crew followed standard operating procedures and kept passengers informed. The aircraft’s configuration likely caused increased noise and vibration due to the flap position during the return leg, but passengers remained seated and calm throughout.
There were no reports of medical issues, injuries, or panic. No emergency equipment was deployed. Cabin lighting remained stable, and the aircraft landed in normal configuration with reverse thrust and manual braking.
Passengers disembarked normally at the gate. Delta rebooked all customers on a replacement aircraft, which departed later that afternoon.
Emergency Response & Aftermath
Emergency response units at Jacksonville were informed of the inbound aircraft with a technical issue and stood by as a precaution. No foam or active response was required.
The aircraft was towed to a Delta maintenance hangar shortly after passengers disembarked. Visual inspections were conducted on the flaps, tracks, actuators, and control modules. A full BITE (Built-In Test Equipment) scan was initiated.
A replacement Boeing 757-200 (registration N6704Z) was dispatched and completed the flight to Atlanta with a delay of approximately three hours and 45 minutes.
Investigation Status
As of the time of writing, the FAA has classified this occurrence as a serious incident due to the nature of the flight control issue and the subsequent return to departure airport. A full maintenance review has been ordered by Delta Air Lines. CVR and FDR data were preserved and downloaded.
No airworthiness directive or fleetwide grounding was issued, and the aircraft involved (N698DL) remains under inspection. Preliminary findings suggest that no external factors (such as bird strike or foreign object debris) played a role.
Root Cause & Contributing Factors
A final root cause determination is pending. Early evidence points toward a fault in the flap control system’s feedback loop, possibly involving a sensor misreading or control logic error. If confirmed, this would be categorised as a minor software or hardware discrepancy rather than structural damage.
Crew performance has been noted as exemplary, with effective decision-making and CRM during the event. Maintenance records and pilot testimonies will form part of the full FAA inquiry.
Safety Recommendations & Industry Impact
While no injuries occurred and no significant aircraft damage was found, Delta and other Boeing 757 operators may be advised to issue additional advisories regarding visual and electronic verification of flap configuration during departure.
Flight crew refresher training in flap abnormal procedures may also be enhanced, along with simulation of “return to airport” scenarios under low altitude and flap restriction conditions.
No regulatory changes have been issued at this stage.
Conclusion
Delta Air Lines Flight DL1329 returned safely to Jacksonville after experiencing a flap malfunction during initial climb on 30 April 2025. Thanks to appropriate crew response, coordinated ATC support, and robust SOP adherence, the situation was contained without injuries or damage. The malfunction remains under investigation. Maintenance teams are inspecting flap control system components, and no further anomalies have been reported in the fleet.
Disclaimer
This article is based on publicly available information and reports at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we cannot guarantee the completeness of the information provided.
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