ATLANTA– Delta Air Lines (DL) flight DL274, operated by an Airbus A350-900, returned safely to Tokyo Haneda International Airport (HND) after reporting a maintenance issue shortly after departure.
The aircraft, registration N508DN, was en route to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) when the crew requested to stop their climb at 22,000 feet and later declared a low oil indication. The jet landed safely on runway 16L at Haneda and remained on the ground for two days.
Photo: Clément AlloingDelta A350 Pilot Returns to Tokyo
Delta Air Lines flight DL274 departed Tokyo Haneda (HND) bound for Detroit (DTW) with a full complement of passengers when the crew identified an abnormal engine indication during climb.
Initially, the pilots requested to hold altitude at 22,000 feet while troubleshooting the issue in coordination with maintenance.
Communication with Tokyo Air Traffic Control (ATC) revealed reports of fluctuating indications. The crew first cited low oil pressure, later clarified as low oil quantity.
When asked if this was a potential indicator fault, the pilots confirmed it was a system indication problem rather than an immediate mechanical failure.
Given the nature of the warning, the flight crew requested priority handling and opted to return to Haneda.
Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 | Photo: AirbusCoordination with ATC
The ATC transcripts show detailed coordination between controllers and DL274’s pilots. Controllers provided vectors, altitude adjustments, and approach clearances while the crew stabilized the aircraft for return.
The flight crew emphasized that they required additional time for troubleshooting before initiating descent.
As the approach phase began, ATC cleared the aircraft for an ILS approach to runway 16L. The pilots confirmed the landing would be conducted using autoland. Emergency services were placed on standby, though the landing occurred without incident.
The Airbus A350-900 touched down safely on runway 16L at Tokyo Haneda. The aircraft taxied off the runway under its own power before being taken out of service for inspection.
The aircraft remained on the ground for approximately 48 hours before returning to operational service. No injuries or further complications were reported, and passengers were accommodated by Delta.
Photo: Clément AlloingDetailed ATC and Delta Pilots’ Comms
Here’s a detailed transcript of the communication between Delta Pilots and Tokyo Haneda ATC as flagged by You Can See ATC:
{ts:21}
ATC: Delta 274, contact radar 2802.
Pilot: Delta 274.
{ts:31}
Pilot: Tokyo, Delta 274, set freq again 021902.
{ts:41}
ATC: Delta 2274, 19.5 or 220, radar direct maintainable 25.
{ts:55}
Pilot: All right, and we’d like to request 22,000. We’re working on a maintenance issue, Delta 274.
{ts:63}
ATC: Radar, go ahead.
Pilot: We have an indication that’s abnormal and we’re leveling at 22,000 for now, Delta 274.
{ts:83}
ATC: Let me know when you can fly. We’ll go.
Pilot: Thank you, Tokyo, Delta.
{ts:95}
ATC: Go ahead.
Pilot: I believe we’re going to have to come back to Tokyo. We’re still talking to maintenance; request heading south so we don’t get too far away.
{ts:107}
ATC: Okay, heading 150.
Pilot: Thanks for heading 150, maintaining about 22,000, and just confirm we need some time for troubleshooting.
{ts:121}
ATC: Affirm, heading 150, say again the altitude?
Pilot: Maintainable 22,000.
{ts:126}
ATC: OK sir, heading 150, maintain 22,000?
Pilot: Yes, we’re still troubleshooting. We’ll get back to you in a couple.
{ts:132}
ATC: How long do you need for troubleshooting?
Pilot: Three to five minutes, call it five minutes.
{ts:139}
ATC: Okay, what is the nature?
Pilot: Due to flight right control program indication.
{ts:151}
ATC: Indication? Thank you.
Pilot: System, right heading 1 right belt.
{ts:166}
Pilot: Delta 274, we’d like to return back to—request runway 16 left ILS.
{ts:175}
ATC: Delta 274, fly heading 200.
Pilot: Affirmative, heading 200, Delta 274.
{ts:188}
ATC: How about RNP approach for runway?
Pilot: Request ILS runway 16 left.
{ts:206}
ATC: ILS 16 left approach.
Pilot: Confirm, request priority.
{ts:226}
Pilot: We request priority at this time, Delta 274. We’re just an indication.
ATC: Delta 274.
{ts:235}
ATC: Delta 274, turn right heading 220.
Pilot: Delta 274.
{ts:248}
ATC: Delta 274, maintain FL150.
Pilot: Maintain 15,000, Delta 274.
{ts:259}
ATC: Vectors for runway 16 left, back and handy.
Pilot: Understand, heading 270, vectors for 16 left, direct to Sandy at this time?
ATC: Negative, heading 270, radar vector.
{ts:279}
Pilot: Excellent, 270 heading for Delta 274.
{ts:288}
ATC: Thanks for your help, Delta 274.
{ts:315}
Pilot: Delta 274, checking in with you, sending 15,000.
ATC: Tokyo Approach, QNH 29.83.
{ts:325}
ATC: Vector to LORI, Delta 274.
{ts:344}
Pilot: Confirm heading 270 for Delta 274?
ATC: That’s correct, Delta 274.
{ts:361}
ATC: Approach, go ahead.
Pilot: Just confirmation—travel is only indicator?
ATC: Say again.
Pilot: We lost oil pressure indication.
{ts:392}
Pilot: Correction, low oil quantity, Delta 274.
{ts:406}
ATC: Descent to 13,000.
Pilot: Descend to 13,000, Delta 274.
{ts:418}
ATC: Turn right heading 290.
Pilot: Right heading 290, Delta 274.
{ts:435}
ATC: Turn right heading 320, maintain 9,000.
Pilot: Heading 320, 9,000, Delta 274.
{ts:448}
ATC: Turn right heading 010.
Pilot: Right heading 010, Delta 274.
{ts:467}
ATC: Maintain 9,000, heading 350, Delta 274.
{ts:483}
ATC: Heading 320, maintain 8,000.
Pilot: Heading 320, descend and maintain 8,000.
{ts:495}
ATC: Maintain 6,000.
Pilot: Maintain 6,000, Delta 274.
{ts:511}
ATC: Say again.
Pilot: Can reduce speed to 210?
ATC: Reduce speed to 210, Delta 274.
{ts:526}
Pilot: Reduce speed 210, Delta 274.
{ts:538}
ATC: Maintain 5,000.
Pilot: Maintain 5,000, Delta 274.
{ts:551}
ATC: Heading 230.
Pilot: Heading 230, Delta 274.
{ts:562}
ATC: Direct LORI, descend maintain 4,000.
Pilot: Direct LORI, descend maintain 4,000, Delta 274.
{ts:576}
ATC: Approach for 16 left, Delta 274.
Pilot: Thank you.
{ts:584}
Pilot: This will be an autoland.
{ts:594}
ATC: Delta 274, knots.
Pilot: 180 knots, Delta 274.
{ts:602}
ATC: Contact 124.135.
Pilot: 124.135, Delta 274.
{ts:619}
Tower: Delta 274, priority aircraft, runway 16 left ILS.
{ts:627}
Tower: Continue approach, Delta 274.
{ts:643}
Tower: Delta 274, land runway 16 left, turn off at the end.
The Airbus A350 is a long-haul aircraft commonly deployed by Delta on transpacific routes. The HND–DTW route is one of the airline’s major connections between Japan and the United States.
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