A Delta Air Lines B767-400 was forced to make an emergency landing at Shannon Airport (SNN) in Ireland, after its cockpit window reportedly overheated.
Flight DL4 was en route to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport (JFK) from London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) on March 18, 2025, and was carrying 129 passengers. The flight departed LHR at around 16:24.
However, about two hours into the flight, the aircraft, with registration N825MH, declared a general emergency, squawking 7700, a distress signal indicating general emergency.
Delta #DL4 (London Heathrow → New York JFK), a Boeing 767-400ER (N825MH), is diverting to Shannon after declaring an emergency 7700
— Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) March 18, 2025
The aircraft descended to 10,000 ft. Emergency vehicles are on standby for landing on RWY 06 to inspect the brakes. Estimated landing in ~9 minutes pic.twitter.com/t3XEuirhFt
A Delta Air Lines spokesperson told media outlets that flight crew had reported heat in the flight deck window. The captain then followed procedures and diverted to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport possible.
The aircraft was able to safely land at Runway 06 of Shannon Airport, where emergency vehicles were on standby.
All passengers, including three pilots and nine flight attendants, were evacuated safely. No injuries were reported.
The aircraft remained at Shannon Airport overnight for inspection. Passengers were able to fly onward to JFK Airport the following afternoon.
“We apologize to our customers for the delay in their travel plans. As nothing is more important than safety, the crew of Delta flight 4 followed standard procedures to divert to Shannon, Ireland after observing a mechanical issue. The flight landed safely and customers deplaned at an arrival gate,” Delta Air Lines said in a statement.
1 comment
Well, I admit that’s a “new” complaint, to me. I have read and watched crash/incident investigation reports for many decades now, and head of all manner of problems, including overheating issues, but never a cockpit wind screen before. However, I do realize it suggests something more serious than just an hot window, which pilots would likely not be touching anyway; too many other things to occupy their hands in a cockpit. But a short, or other defect, in a wind screen defrost heater could easily result in an open fire, and out over an ocean is NOT the place to be contending with that. There are not a lot of landing placed out there, and ditching in icy cold water is decidedly not a good option.