Key Takeaways
• Delta Flight 1092 landed without nose gear on June 28, 2023, at Charlotte Airport with 104 onboard.
• NTSB found a fractured upper lock link caused by manufacturing tool marks led to gear failure.
• FAA issued 2025 rule for repeated nose gear inspections on Boeing 717 fleet to prevent failures.
A Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 made headlines after a dramatic emergency landing at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on June 28, 2023. The aircraft, carrying 99 passengers and 5 crew members, landed without its nose landing gear extended. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has now released its final report, revealing the mechanical failure that led to this rare and dangerous situation. This article provides a detailed look at what happened, why it matters, and what it means for passengers, airlines, and the future of the Boeing 717 fleet.
What Happened: The Incident Unfolds
On June 28, 2023, Delta Air Lines Flight 1092, operated by a Boeing 717 registered as N955AT, was scheduled to fly from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. As the plane approached Charlotte, the flight crew lowered the landing gear handle at about 2,000 feet above the ground. Instead of the usual green light that shows the gear is down and locked, they saw a warning light indicating the nose landing gear was not in the correct position.
The pilots quickly tried to fix the problem. They performed a go-around, which means they stopped their landing and circled the airport to try again. During this time, they followed emergency checklists and tried to lower the nose gear manually, but nothing worked. After informing air traffic control and declaring an emergency, they lined up for another landing attempt. At 300 feet above the ground, air traffic controllers told the crew that the nose wheel was not visible, leading to a second go-around.
Despite several more tries using both normal and manual methods, the nose gear would not extend. The pilots made the difficult decision to land the Boeing 717 without the nose gear. The aircraft touched down about 1,400 feet from the start of the runway. As the plane slowed to around 80 knots, the pilots gently lowered the nose onto the runway. Emergency crews were ready and quickly sprayed water on the nose area as a safety measure. All 104 people on board evacuated safely using emergency slides, and no injuries were reported.
Why Did the Nose Landing Gear Fail?
The NTSB’s investigation found that a key part of the nose landing gear system, called the upper lock link, had fractured. This part is supposed to help keep the nose gear in place and allow it to move up and down smoothly. When it broke, another part called the lower lock link swung down and blocked the gear from moving. The broken lock link was sent to a laboratory for a closer look.
Investigators discovered that the surface of the upper lock link had tool marks—tiny scratches left during manufacturing. These marks made the surface rougher than it should have been. Over time, this roughness weakened the part, causing it to break during the critical moment when the pilots tried to lower the nose gear. The NTSB concluded that “non-conforming surface roughness due to tool marks” was the root cause of the failure.
How Did the Crew and Passengers Respond?
The flight crew’s quick thinking and training played a major role in keeping everyone safe. They followed emergency procedures, communicated clearly with air traffic control, and made careful decisions under pressure. After landing, the crew led a calm and orderly evacuation through the two front doors using emergency slides. Emergency responders at the airport were prepared and acted quickly to secure the scene.
Passengers later described the experience as frightening but praised the crew for their professionalism. The fact that there were no injuries is a testament to the effectiveness of airline safety training and emergency planning.
Regulatory Response: What Is Being Done to Prevent This from Happening Again?
After the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took action to address the risk of similar failures in other Boeing 717 aircraft. On April 29, 2025, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking. This is an official step toward making new safety rules. The proposal requires airlines to perform regular inspections of the nose landing gear upper lock link on all Boeing 717s.
The inspections use a method called high frequency eddy current testing, which can find small cracks or flaws in metal parts. If a crack is found, the part must be replaced. Once a new, improved part is installed, the repeated inspections are no longer needed for that aircraft. The FAA warned that if this problem is not fixed, it could lead to more nose gear failures, which could make it hard for pilots to control the plane on the ground and increase the risk of runway accidents.
This new rule affects the remaining Boeing 717 fleet, which includes 84 planes in service and 23 in storage. Only two airlines still fly the Boeing 717: Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines. Both will need to follow the new inspection rules to keep their planes flying safely.
For more details on the FAA’s safety directives and airworthiness requirements, readers can visit the FAA Airworthiness Directives page.
Other Recent Incidents Involving Delta’s Boeing 717 Fleet
The June 2023 nose gear incident is not the only recent safety event involving Delta’s Boeing 717 aircraft. In February 2025, two separate emergencies occurred:
- Smoke in the Cabin (February 24, 2025): Delta Flight 876, a Boeing 717-200, made an emergency landing in Atlanta after thick smoke filled the cabin and cockpit shortly after takeoff. The pilots received a low oil pressure alert and shut down the right engine. All 94 passengers evacuated using emergency slides, and two people suffered minor injuries.
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Hydraulic System Issue (February 26, 2025): Another Delta Boeing 717, Flight DL3067, made an emergency landing in Charlotte due to a hydraulic system warning. The plane carried 71 passengers, and while there were no injuries, the incident caused travel delays and prompted an FAA investigation.
These events highlight the challenges of operating an aging fleet and the importance of strict maintenance and safety checks.
The Boeing 717: Fleet Background and Current Use
The Boeing 717 has a unique history. It was first designed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95, but after Boeing merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, the plane was rebranded as the Boeing 717. Delta Air Lines operates about 80 of these aircraft, many of which have been flying for more than 20 years. Hawaiian Airlines is the only other airline still using the 717, with both airlines together operating 84 planes and keeping 23 more in storage.
The Boeing 717 is popular for short routes between smaller cities because it seats about 110 to 120 passengers—just the right size for many regional flights. However, as airlines like Delta update their fleets with newer models such as the Airbus A220, the 717’s age is becoming more of a concern.
Industry Implications: What Does This Mean for Airlines and Passengers?
The recent incidents involving Delta’s Boeing 717 fleet have several important implications:
- Aging Aircraft: Many Boeing 717s have been in service for over two decades. As planes get older, the risk of mechanical problems increases. Airlines must balance the cost of keeping older planes safe with the expense of buying new ones.
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Maintenance and Quality Control: The nose gear failure was traced back to a manufacturing issue—tool marks left on a critical part. This shows how even small mistakes during production can lead to serious safety risks years later. It also highlights the need for careful inspections and high standards in both manufacturing and maintenance.
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Safety Systems and Training: Despite the mechanical failures, the safe landings and evacuations show that airline safety systems and crew training work well. Pilots and flight attendants are trained to handle emergencies, and their actions saved lives in these cases.
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Regulatory Oversight: The FAA’s quick response with new inspection rules shows how safety agencies work to protect passengers. By requiring regular checks of the nose landing gear, the FAA aims to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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Operational Impact: The new inspection rules will mean more maintenance work and possibly higher costs for Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines. Airlines may need to take planes out of service for inspections or repairs, which could affect flight schedules.
Technical Terms Explained
- Nose Landing Gear: This is the set of wheels at the front of the plane that supports the nose during takeoff, landing, and taxiing. If it fails to extend, the plane’s nose can hit the runway during landing.
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Go-Around: When pilots decide not to land and instead fly around the airport to try again. This is often done for safety reasons.
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High Frequency Eddy Current Inspection: A special test that uses electrical currents to find cracks or flaws in metal parts without taking them apart.
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Hydraulic System: A system that uses fluid to move parts of the plane, such as landing gear, brakes, and flight controls.
How Are Passengers Affected?
For travelers, these incidents may raise concerns about safety. However, it’s important to remember that airline safety standards are very high. Planes are designed with backup systems, and crews are trained for emergencies. The fact that everyone walked away from these recent incidents without serious injuries shows that the safety systems work.
Passengers flying on Delta Air Lines or Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717s can expect that their planes will be inspected more often and that any worn or damaged parts will be replaced. Airlines and regulators are working together to keep flights as safe as possible.
What Should Airlines Do Now?
- Follow New Inspection Rules: Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines must carry out the FAA’s required inspections on all Boeing 717s in their fleets.
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Replace Faulty Parts: Any nose landing gear parts found to have cracks or tool marks must be replaced with improved versions.
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Review Maintenance Procedures: Airlines should review their maintenance records and procedures to make sure similar issues are not present in other aircraft types.
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Communicate with Passengers: Airlines should keep passengers informed about safety measures and any changes to flight schedules due to inspections.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Boeing 717
As Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines continue to operate the Boeing 717, they face tough choices about how long to keep these planes in service. The new inspection rules will help keep the planes safe, but as the fleet gets older, airlines may decide to retire the 717 and replace it with newer, more efficient models.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the recent incidents and new safety requirements may speed up the retirement of the Boeing 717 fleet. Airlines must weigh the costs of ongoing inspections and repairs against the benefits of newer planes with advanced safety features.
Key Takeaways for Travelers and Industry Stakeholders
- Safety remains the top priority for airlines, regulators, and manufacturers.
- Regular inspections and maintenance are essential, especially for older aircraft like the Boeing 717.
- Passengers can feel confident that airlines and safety agencies are taking strong steps to prevent future incidents.
- Airlines may face higher costs and operational challenges as they comply with new rules and consider updating their fleets.
For those interested in the official findings and safety recommendations, the full NTSB report and FAA directives provide detailed information about the incident and the steps being taken to keep the Boeing 717 fleet safe.
Conclusion
The Delta Air Lines Boeing 717 nose landing gear incident at Charlotte Douglas International Airport was a rare and serious event. Thanks to the skill of the flight crew and the quick response of emergency teams, everyone on board escaped unharmed. The NTSB’s investigation found that a manufacturing flaw caused the nose gear to fail, leading to new safety rules from the FAA. As airlines continue to operate aging aircraft, regular inspections and strong safety procedures will be more important than ever. Passengers can take comfort in knowing that every incident leads to lessons learned and improvements made, keeping air travel among the safest ways to get from one place to another.
Learn Today
Nose Landing Gear → The wheels at a plane’s front that support the nose during landing, takeoff, and taxiing.
Go-Around → A maneuver where pilots abort landing and circle to attempt another approach safely.
Upper Lock Link → A critical part securing the nose gear in place during landing and retracting.
High Frequency Eddy Current Testing → A non-destructive inspection method detecting cracks in metal parts using electrical currents.
Hydraulic System → A fluid-powered system that moves aircraft components like landing gear and brakes.
This Article in a Nutshell
A Delta Boeing 717 landed without nose gear in Charlotte, June 2023. A manufacturing flaw caused failure. FAA mandates new inspections to keep 717s safe. Despite aging aircraft, swift crew action ensured no injuries, highlighting aviation safety and regulatory responses to prevent future incidents.
— By VisaVerge.com
