Wow: Delta's Badly Damaged 757 Will Fly Again

Wow: Delta’s Badly Damaged 757 Will Fly Again

Updated: July 31, 2023

Published: September 16, 2019

Update: Delta’s damaged 757 is back in service.

Just over a month ago a Delta 757 flying from New York to Ponta Delgada in the Azores had a rough landing. Like, a really rough landing.

The plane sustained a shocking number of rips and tears throughout the fuselage and wings.

A couple of readers were on the flight and shared their experience. For example, reader Beth said the following:

I was on this flight and am a frequent flier, but first time to the Azores. It was overcast. The approach is over the coast above cliffs. All seemed fine, though there was some not uncommon wing wagging. But, the initial impact was very hard and not on all gear, mostly on the left, not nose or right. We bounced and came down hard again on the left, possibly some on the nose gear, and bounced up and tilted to the left. I was in first cabin and this was pretty pronounced. At this point, I was unsure of a landing or accident. But, on the next bounce, we evened out, then came up slightly, then down and held. I’ve had hard landings, but never had a landing like that. I was surprised the other passengers didn’t talk about it, because it’s true we did not. Perhaps, people didn’t want to admit they were scared or other parts of the plane didn’t get the same impact. I don’t pretend to know about the effect of different winds or piloting, etc., but it went bad, and almost real bad.

Reader Erinr said the following:

I was on this flight. It seemed like a crosswind issue, lots of crabbing into the approach, and the wings never seemed level. We bounced so hard everything flew around the cabin. Id be curious if the PA announcements were recorded cause they were kinda slurry. Just thankful to be on the ground and on my honeymoon.

With the level of damage, a lot of people assumed that this would be a write-off, and that the plane would never fly again. It’s one thing if one particular part of a plane is badly damaged, but when several parts of the fuselage, the wings, etc., all have damage, one would assume it’s really bad.

We’ve known for the past few weeks that Delta was planning on trying to fix this plane. After all, we all know that Delta likes planes that are fixer-uppers. In late August an Antonov AN-124 was even flown to Ponta Delgada with supplies to try and fix the plane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKrOrH3HvTs

Well, there’s a very interesting update on that front — Delta will fly their damaged Boeing 757 from Ponta Delgada to Atlanta today. The plane has the registration code N543US, and is scheduled to ferry back to Atlanta as DL9959.

While the plane is scheduled to depart, it looks like it’s delayed, and still hasn’t left. Looking at the webcam for Ponta Delgada Airport, you can still see the Delta 757 parked towards the very back.

So I imagine it’s departing soon, or that they’re at least confident about it departing soon.

I haven’t been able to find any more info about the condition of the plane. Were they really able to buff out all the damage, or do they have confidence in a slightly fixed 757 making it back to Atlanta?

Fascinating stuff. I wish we had more info about what fixes they made to the plane…

(Tip of the hat to Franco)

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Roberta Guest

September 25, 2019, 11:51 am

I noticed that even though the schedule is open for the JFK to PDL flights for most of next summer, it gives an error message that there are no seats available when you try to book. I had already purchased flights for next July, but I highly doubt that all of the flights through August are booked solid. I have heard nothing from Delta, but now I am concerned they might be scrapping this route because of the issue with the 757.

‼ 0

Marshall Jackson Guest

September 22, 2019, 8:19 am

I never doubted that the airplane “could” be repaired. I just never thought it “would” be worth the money. Oh well.

DC Guest

September 20, 2019, 12:57 am

...a metaphor for the USA.

Ted Guest

September 19, 2019, 9:46 pm

I was on the flight and the pilot on my return flight gave several of us a detailed description of what happened along with plans to repair the aircraft. I agree with what the other passengers shared. I've flown A LOT and this was easily the roughest landing I've experienced. I believe nobody spoke about it because it was very early and passengers were groggy... we may also have been waiting for a pilot to tell us what just happened. But it was also quickly clear nobody was hurt and we deplaned as usual. Itinital thoughts were the plane would be scrapped but they decided to repair after inspection. Apparently they are going to completely strip the exterior, make additional repairs, and reskin it. Total cost around $3 million. I wouldn't jump at the idea of getting back on that bird but recent headlines on the 757 aside, it is still the safest way to travel.

PDS Guest

September 19, 2019, 4:16 pm

It's a times like these you need DEBIT to weigh in with one of his unique insights

Wow: Delta’s Badly Damaged 757 Will Fly Again

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