Israel-to-NYC Flight Makes Safe Emergency Landing

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Dave Urbanski

NEW YORK (AP) — A flight leaving Israel for New York City developed a mechanical problem and had to return to Tel Aviv and make an emergency landing, Delta Air Lines said.

Image source: Inform

An airline spokeswoman says Delta Flight 469, with 370 passengers and 17 crew members aboard a Boeing 747, returned safely to Ben Gurion Airport early Sunday local time. Spokeswoman Jennifer Martin says the emergency landing was made "out of an abundance of caution."

The flight interruption came at a time of heightened tension in Israel as it continues to exchange rocket fire with Palestinian militants. There was no indication the mechanical problem was related.

The plane took off about 5:30 p.m. Eastern time Saturday and was due at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport around 4:30 a.m. Eastern on Sunday.