A Thai Airways flight from Frankfurt to Bangkok returned safely to Frankfurt Airport on Friday, August 21, after declaring an emergency shortly after take-off.

Flight TG921, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER registered HS-TKK, had left Frankfurt at 14:45 local time for Suvarnabhumi Airport when the crew encountered a hydraulic problem involving the left main landing gear.

Hydraulic problem after departure

The left main gear did not retract after the aircraft became airborne, prompting the pilots to stop their climb at 13,000 feet and declare an emergency with air traffic control.

As the aircraft had been fully fuelled for the long-haul service to Bangkok, the crew remained near Frankfurt to reduce its landing weight. The Boeing 777 spent about 25 minutes in a holding pattern while fuel was jettisoned.

It then made a safe landing on Frankfurt's runway 25C, around one hour and 20 minutes after departure. Emergency services were positioned at the airport as a precaution.

The aircraft taxied under its own power to a remote stand, where passengers disembarked safely. No injuries among passengers or crew were reported.

Picture courtesy of One and More Aviation

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22 August 2026

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Glad that turned out ok. Stuff happens, but it would suck if ground crew forgot to pull the left main safety pin. Whatever the cause, it cost Thai air some cash.

I will be flying to Chiang Mai shortly. Comfort in knowing that airlines are following procedures and not taking short cuts to save money at the expense of the passenger's safety.

I've sometimes wondered what exactly happens when major amounts of jet fuel are allowed to indiscriminately fall to earth. I wouldn't want to be doused as I walked to the pub. Although I suppose I'd get plenty of room at the bar.

2 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I've sometimes wondered what exactly happens when major amounts of jet fuel are allowed to indiscriminately fall to earth. I wouldn't want to be doused as I walked to the pub. Although I suppose I'd get plenty of room at the bar.

When an airplane dumps fuel, the liquid is sprayed out at high speed through nozzles on the wings. It breaks apart into a fine mist and vaporizes into the air before it ever reaches the ground.

6 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

When an airplane dumps fuel, the liquid is sprayed out at high speed through nozzles on the wings. It breaks apart into a fine mist and vaporizes into the air before it ever reaches the ground.

Well, that's a relief!

5 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I've sometimes wondered what exactly happens when major amounts of jet fuel are allowed to indiscriminately fall to earth. I wouldn't want to be doused as I walked to the pub. Although I suppose I'd get plenty of room at the bar.

For reference (Google)

People on the ground are rarely affected by fuel jettison because pilots release it high in the sky where it usually turns into a gas and evaporates before it reaches the ground.

5 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I've sometimes wondered what exactly happens when major amounts of jet fuel are allowed to indiscriminately fall to earth. I wouldn't want to be doused as I walked to the pub. Although I suppose I'd get plenty of room at the bar.

Just carry an umbrella when you walk to the bar next

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The Boeing 777 spent about 25 minutes in a holding pattern while fuel was jettisoned.

Hey that can't be very 'environmentally friendly'

Greta will be appalled 'How dare you!'

5 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

looks like a chem trail candidate to me !!

2 hours ago, johng said:

looks like a chem trail candidate to me !!

You also believe the earth is flat ?

Flew from Stockholm to Barcelona, flight was delayed for two hours....technical problems.

Finally boarded, looked out the window and there was a technician/engineer, hands on hips, looking up at one of the engines................he shook his head and walked slowly away.

Did not relax on that flight for one second.

33 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

You also believe the earth is flat ?

it's possible to subscribe À la carte to what ever theory one wants without subscribing to them all at once.

4 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

For reference (Google)

People on the ground are rarely affected by fuel jettison because pilots release it high in the sky where it usually turns into a gas and evaporates before it reaches the ground.

But is must go some where even after it evaporates or does it spend eternity floating around in the atmosphere.

9 hours ago, NedR69 said:

Whatever the cause, it cost Thai air some cash.

I should say. I was working at Heathrow and one of our dumb subcontractors parked a van such the push back tug couldn't get into position of 10 minutes. The parking fine is £60,000 per minute so a £600,000 fine 24,600,000 baht. Fortunately there was a technical fault on the plane so it wasn't ready to depart anyway so the airport didn't actually impose the fine.

16 hours ago, Geoff914 said:

But is must go some where even after it evaporates or does it spend eternity floating around in the atmosphere.

Yes it does. As a gas it disperses in the atmosphere and that is where it stays. You may breathe in molecules with your oxygen and nitrogen and carbon dioxide!

8 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Yes it does. As a gas it disperses in the atmosphere and that is where it stays. You may breathe in molecules with your oxygen and nitrogen and carbon dioxide!

Still, best practise is to dump over open water. Looks like they dumped over heavily populated areas of south-central Germany. But I guess they were given permission to do that.