Shocking Emergency Landings at Amsterdam Schiphol as Flights Forced Amid Explosive Technical Failures: What You Need to Know

Published on November 24, 2025

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol handles over a thousand movements a day. At such a busy hub, a small number of flights still encounter technical problems, on‑board fires or engine issues that force crews to declare an emergency and divert back to the airport. Dutch authorities such as the Dutch Safety Board (Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid) and the Kennemerland Safety Region record and investigate these events. This article summarises all emergency landings at Schiphol between January 2022 and November 2025 for which an official report or government‑verified statement is available. It highlights how crews responded, how emergency services mobilised, and what lessons were drawn from each occurrence.

Delta overshoot in heavy winds (12 January 2023)

The first major emergency in the period occurred on 12 January 2023, when a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330‑300 operating flight DL134 from Minneapolis approached Schiphol in gale‑force winds. The Dutch Safety Board’s final report states that the crew disengaged the autopilot on final approach and flew manually in strong crosswinds and reduced visibility. As a result, the aircraft descended below the glide path and landed 11 m short of the runway threshold[1]. The aircraft remained structurally intact and stopped within the runway, but the undershoot was classified as a serious incident. Investigators emphasised that misperceptions about runway length and manual flying in strong winds contributed to the short landing and recommended heightened awareness when manually flying long heavy jets on short runways[1]. Emergency services responded but no injuries occurred.

Oven fire prompts return to Amsterdam (9 February 2023)

Another serious incident occurred 9 February 2023 aboard a KLM Boeing 777‑200 (registration PH‑BQO) bound for Johannesburg. Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes after departure, cabin crew noticed thick brown smoke emerging from an oven in the aft galley[2]. Firefighters later determined that a meal‑tray carrier restricted airflow, causing the oven to overheat and its power control board to remain energised; this kept the heating elements on and produced smoke[2]. Cabin crew fought the smoke with halon extinguishers and informed the captain, who initiated the “Smoke, Fire or Fumes” checklist and decided to return to Amsterdam. Because the aircraft was above maximum landing weight, fuel had to be jettisoned. Three crew members and twelve passengers experienced breathing difficulties, but medical staff met the aircraft on arrival[2]. The Dutch Safety Board classified the event as a serious incident and highlighted the need to verify that electrical power is removed from faulty ovens and to update maintenance procedures[2].

Runway excursion of a Cessna Citation (28 June 2024)

On 28 June 2024, a business jet experienced a runway excursion at Schiphol. The Cessna Citation 560XLS had departed Oxford, United Kingdom on a ferry flight with two pilots and a flight attendant. During landing at Schiphol, the aircraft encountered an issue with its landing gear and slid off the runway, coming to a stop beside the runway[3]. All three occupants were unhurt, but investigators treated it as an accident. The event prompted on‑site investigation to secure flight‑data evidence and emphasised the importance of promptly clearing runways while preserving evidence for investigation[4]. Although not a classic in‑flight emergency, the excursion required emergency response and underscored the need for robust maintenance of landing gear systems.

KLM Boeing 777 returns due to hydraulic problem (23 June 2024)

Later in June 2024, a scheduled passenger flight encountered a hydraulic problem shortly after departure. KLM Flight KL705, operated by a Boeing 777‑200 on the Amsterdam–Rio de Janeiro route, was cruising at flight level 310 when the crew noticed a fault in the centre‑left hydraulic interface module. According to the airline’s statement, the pilots dumped fuel and returned to Amsterdam as a precaution; the aircraft landed safely about 100 minutes after take‑off[5]. Ground observers noted that the main landing‑gear doors remained open on approach, suggesting the hydraulic problem prevented them from retracting. After landing, KLM arranged another aircraft to complete the flight. The incident illustrates how system redundancies allow long‑haul jets to return safely even when part of the hydraulic system malfunctions.

Fire warning on a Bombardier Global 7500 (15 October 2024)

On 15 October 2024, a Bombardier Global 7500 business jet received a fire warning for its left engine while climbing through 8 000 feet. The Dutch Safety Board reports that the crew immediately shut down the affected engine, declared an emergency and returned to Amsterdam[6]. Fire‑service crews inspected the aircraft upon landing but found no abnormalities[6]. The aircraft taxied to the general‑aviation apron under its own power. Investigators praised the crew’s adherence to emergency procedures and noted that the event demonstrated the reliability of onboard fire‑detection systems[6].

Power‑bank fire in the cabin (12 June 2025)

At Schiphol in June 2025, a passenger’s lithium‑ion battery charger (power bank) ignited inside the cabin of an Airbus A320 preparing for departure. The Dutch Safety Board describes how cabin crew quickly placed the burning power bank in an oven to contain the flames, while firefighters boarded the aircraft and submerged it in water[7]. Passengers evacuated via the boarding bridge and seven people were examined for possible smoke inhalation[7]. The incident, though minor in outcome, highlighted the risk posed by lithium‑ion batteries and underscored the importance of passenger awareness and crew readiness to handle battery fires.

Cargo jet mayday call (19 July 2025)

A day before the widely reported passenger flight incident in July 2025, a cargo aircraft operated by Atlas Air issued a mayday due to engine problems. The Kennemerland Safety Region’s incident report notes that emergency services were placed on standby under GRIP 1 (regional coordination) and the Polderbaan runway was prepared for an emergency landing[8]. The aircraft landed safely without injuries, and emergency response levels were scaled back to normal after landing[8]. The prompt coordination between air traffic control and regional fire and medical services ensured the landing could occur without interference from other traffic.

Smoke in the cockpit on a Wizz Air flight (20 July 2025)

On 20 July 2025, passengers aboard a Wizz Air Airbus A321 flying from Poznań to London experienced smoke in the cockpit shortly after take‑off. The crew declared a mayday and diverted to Amsterdam. According to the Kennemerland Safety Region, emergency response units assembled under GRIP 1 and the aircraft made a precautionary landing; the pilots were examined for smoke inhalation, but no injuries were reported[9]. The incident emphasised the need for rapid communication between flight crew, air traffic controllers and emergency services. Although the source of the smoke was not publicly disclosed at the time of the report, the safe outcome underscores how standardised procedures can mitigate risk.

Trends and observations

Reviewing emergency landings at Schiphol between 2022 and November 2025 reveals several patterns:

1. Fire and smoke events: Several incidents involved smoke or fire onboard—an over‑heated oven in 2023, a power‑bank fire in 2025 and cockpit smoke on a Wizz Air flight in 2025. These events demonstrate that even small ignition sources can necessitate a return to base. Crew training in smoke‑fire procedures, the availability of halon extinguishers and the ability to jettison fuel when above landing weight were key to safe outcomes[2].
2. Technical malfunctions: Hydraulic issues (KL705), engine fire warnings (Global 7500) and landing‑gear problems (Citation 560XLS) show that mechanical faults remain a primary reason for emergency landings. System redundancies allowed crews to keep control, and returning to the departure airport minimised operational risks[5].
3. Environmental and operational factors: The Delta A330 short landing emphasises how crosswinds and manual flying can lead to runway undershoots[1]. Investigators recommended that crews use appropriate automation and maintain situational awareness during approaches in adverse weather.
4. Emergency coordination: The rapid activation of regional emergency protocols (GRIP 1) by the Kennemerland Safety Region during the July 2025 incidents facilitated timely responses by fire, medical and police services[9]. Such coordination minimised delays and ensured resources were available but not over‑committed.

From January 2022 through November 2025, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol experienced a small number of emergency landings relative to its traffic volume. Official investigations show that most events stemmed from technical malfunctions or onboard smoke/fire, and that crews acted decisively to return to Amsterdam. In each case, the integrated response by the Dutch Safety Board, airport fire services and the Kennemerland Safety Region ensured passengers and crew were safe. Lessons learned—including better adherence to checklists, regular maintenance of galley equipment and continued training on lithium‑ion battery fires—should further improve safety. Overall, the incidents reinforce the robustness of emergency procedures at Schiphol and highlight how aviation safety relies on vigilant crews and coordinated ground support.