A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8 departing for Frankfurt made a precautionary return to Chicago on 13 August when its landing gear failed to retract after departure.
Lufthansa flight LH431, operated by a Boeing 747-8, had conducted a departure from runway 09C Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The aircraft was performing a scheduled service bound for Frankfurt Main Airport (FRA).
Lufthansa LH431 Chicago-Frankfurt
Shortly after takeoff, flight crew reported that they were unable to retract the aircraft’s landing gear. As a result, the climb was terminated below 10,000 feet.
The aircraft then entered a holding procedure over Lake Michigan to permit fuel dumping procedures to be carried out.
Following the completion fuel dumping, the aircraft was positioned for a return to the departure airport. The aircraft subsequently landed on runway 10C Chicago O’Hare, just over one hour after its initial departure.
Flight & Aircraft Data
Flight data shows that flight LH431 had departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 4:52 PM local time on 13 August. Scheduled departure time for the rotation was listed as 4 PM local time.
Following takeoff, flight crew terminated the climb at 6000 feet before entering holding procedures over Lake Michigan.
After fuel dumping procedures were conducted, the aircraft was returned for an approach to runway 10C.
The aircraft conducting the LH431 service to Frankfurt Main Airport was a Boeing 747-8, registered D-ABYH. This is a 12.4 year old widebody aircraft belonging to the national carrier Lufthansa.
It has been operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in March 2013. The aircraft bears the airline name ‘Thüringen’.
