Lufthansa Joins EasyJet, Eurowings, and Singapore Airlines Witness Shocking Emergency Landings at Frankfurt Airport You Won’t Believe: Here is What You Need to Know

Published on November 24, 2025

Frankfurt Airport handles hundreds of movements every day, yet only a handful of flights have made emergency or precautionary landings during the January 2022–November 2025 period. Most incidents ended safely because of careful flight‑crew decision‑making, rapid intervention by airport fire and rescue teams and thorough follow‑up investigations. The events below draw from official airline statements, government investigations or press releases from Fraport AG and cover every notable emergency landing at the airport during the reporting period.

2022 – precautionary landings

In 2022, Frankfurt Airport handled more than 48 million passengers and hundreds of cargo flights. Although there were minor technical diversions and a few rejected take‑offs, only one notable emergency situation resulted in an unscheduled return to the airport. On 4 September 2022 a cargo Boeing 777‑F operated by AeroLogic was taxiing on the apron when its crew used asymmetric thrust to break away from a turning manoeuvre. The blast from the right engine caused unsecured freight containers to move, injuring a ramp worker[1]. Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) investigated the incident and reported that both the airline and airport operator strengthened thrust‑use procedures to prevent similar occurrences[1]. The event did not involve an airborne return, but it illustrates how safety procedures at Frankfurt were tightened following official investigations.

2023 – multiple returns with official comment

Eurowings Discover flight 4Y1205 (19 July 2023)

Eurowings Discover flight 4Y1205, an Airbus A320 operating from Heraklion, Greece, to Frankfurt, declared a general emergency during final approach. The captain became incapacitated while the aircraft was descending toward runway 25L. According to the investigative bulletin released by the BFU, the first officer assumed command, continued the approach, and landed safely on runway 25L. Emergency medical services transported the captain to hospital and no injuries were reported among the 178 passengers and crew[2]. The BFU classified the occurrence as a serious incident and launched an investigation[3], meaning it is one of the few emergency landings in Frankfurt backed by an official government report during this period.

Lufthansa flight LH433 (8 September 2023)

Lufthansa’s flight LH433 from Chicago to Frankfurt, operated by an Airbus A340, declared a general emergency (“squawk 7700”) during its final approach when the crew reported a landing‑gear problem. According to reports on the day of the event, the aircraft performed a go‑around over the airport, circled to burn fuel and instructed passengers to adopt the brace position. Emergency services deployed along runway 07R. After approximately half an hour, the crew was able to lower the gear and the aircraft landed safely[4]. Lufthansa did not issue an official statement immediately, but airport fire‑service photographs confirmed the aircraft on the runway surrounded by emergency vehicles, and subsequent press updates noted that all 272 passengers disembarked normally[5]. Because the incident concluded without injury or damage, it did not trigger a BFU investigation.

Lufthansa flight LH712 (13 September 2023)

Two days later Lufthansa faced another emergency return when flight LH712, a Boeing 747‑400 bound for Seoul, suffered oil‑pressure irregularities in one of its engines shortly after departure. Lufthansa issued a statement noting that the cockpit crew shut down the affected engine and declared an air emergency as a precaution. The aircraft landed back at Frankfurt with its 341 passengers and crew unharmed, and Lufthansa engineers examined the engine[6]. The airline also confirmed that passengers were rebooked onto later flights[6]. This incident demonstrates how a quick technical response and transparent communication by the carrier contained the situation without further disruption.

2024 – technical diversions

Lufthansa flight LH440 (31 January 2024)

At the start of 2024 Lufthansa flight LH440, an Airbus A330‑300 travelling from Frankfurt to Houston, experienced a malfunction in one of its Rolls‑Royce Trent 700 engines about two hours after take‑off. According to reports summarising statements from Lufthansa and Germany’s BFU, the crew followed standard procedure, shut down the engine and requested to return. The aircraft landed safely on runway 25C about three hours after departure, where emergency services inspected the aircraft[7]. The BFU launched an investigation into the engine malfunction and Lufthansa rebooked passengers on later flights[8]. The airline emphasised that shutting down one engine on a four‑engine aircraft is a precautionary measure and that passengers were never in danger.

Lufthansa flight LH474 (21 April 2024)

In April a Lufthansa Airbus A350 operating flight LH474 from Munich to Montréal diverted to Frankfurt after the crew reported smoke in the aft galley. Cabin crew used fire extinguishers and, as a precaution, the pilots decided to land at Frankfurt, which offers better emergency facilities than smaller airports in the region. The aircraft landed on runway 25C about 25 minutes after the crew’s initial report. Although Lufthansa did not release a full press statement, the German aviation authority confirmed that emergency services found no trace of fire and that the aircraft underwent inspection before returning to service later the same day. Because there were no injuries or damage, the BFU categorised the event as an incident and did not open a full investigation.

2025 – bomb threats and odours

Lufthansa flight LH752 (15–16 June 2025)

Flight LH752 from Frankfurt to Hyderabad illustrates how non‑technical factors can force an emergency return. Shortly after the Airbus A330 reached cruising altitude, Indian authorities received a bomb threat against the flight. Hyderabad air‑traffic control denied permission for the aircraft to land while the threat was assessed, so the pilots opted to return to Frankfurt. Lufthansa later confirmed to the press that the aircraft “turned back because it did not receive a permit to land in Hyderabad” and that passengers were accommodated in hotels while security services swept the aircraft[9]. Indian airport officials also told reporters that the threat was received before the plane entered Indian airspace[9]. The situation was resolved without incident after security teams found no device on board.

Lufthansa flight LH470 (12 July 2025)

Another notable return to Frankfurt occurred on 12 July 2025 when Lufthansa flight LH470, a Boeing 747‑400 en route to Toronto, developed an unusual plastic‑like odour in the cabin while cruising over the North Sea. Although onboard systems did not show a fire, the cockpit crew elected to return to Frankfurt as a precaution. The aircraft landed without incident and fire crews inspected the cabin. Lufthansa explained that returning to its home base provided better technical support and allowed engineers to perform a comprehensive inspection. No fault or fire was found and passengers were rebooked; the event underscores the airline’s policy of prioritising safety even when irregularities appear minor.

CityJet flight LH842 (28 September 2025)

In late September a CityJet Bombardier CRJ‑1000 operating as Lufthansa flight LH842 from Frankfurt to Billund developed smoke in the cockpit during climb. The pilots donned oxygen masks, stopped the climb at FL220 and declared a Mayday to Frankfurt air‑traffic controllers. The aircraft returned to Frankfurt about 35 minutes after departure and landed on runway 07R. Emergency crews escorted the aircraft to a remote stand, passengers disembarked normally and the rotation was cancelled. The BFU subsequently opened a serious‑incident investigation, acknowledging that the presence of smoke on the flight deck warranted formal inquiry.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ325 (25–26 September 2025)

Singapore Airlines’ flagship Airbus A380 operating flight SQ325 from Frankfurt to Singapore became one of the longest precautionary returns on record. Shortly after reaching cruising altitude, systems indicated a potential mechanical issue in one of the wing‑flap drives. The crew conferred with company engineers and decided to turn back after flying for almost nine hours over Azerbaijan. Frankfurt Airport’s emergency services prepared for the arrival and the aircraft landed safely on runway 07R at 06:51 CEST with no injuries. Singapore Airlines confirmed that the decision to return was taken “in the interest of safety” after an abnormal technical indication; the airline inspected the aircraft and arranged new travel for passengers. The extended return illustrates how long‑haul flights may spend many hours airborne before landing back at the departure airport when no suitable alternate is nearby.

2022–2025 overview and lessons

Although the number of emergency landings at Frankfurt Airport between January 2022 and November 2025 was small relative to total traffic, the events reveal common themes. Technical malfunctions—such as engine issues on LH712 and LH440 or smoke indications on LH474—prompted most returns. Health‑related emergencies, such as the incapacitation of the captain on Eurowings flight 4Y1205, show the importance of redundancy and cross‑training. External threats, like the bomb threat against LH752, demonstrate how security‑related decisions by authorities can force aircraft to return even when technical systems are functioning correctly[9]. All cases highlight the emphasis placed on safety by airlines and regulators: flight crews declared Mayday or general emergencies early, diverted to Frankfurt where robust fire‑rescue services and technical support were available, and government agencies like the BFU investigated serious occurrences[3]. Through these precautionary actions, every emergency landing in the period concluded safely without fatalities.