A TUI Airways Boeing 737-800 departing for London made a return to Thessaloniki, Greece after encountering a landing gear problem after takeoff on 7 October 2024.
TUI Airways flight BY4193, operated by a Boeing 737-800, had conducted the takeoff and departure from runway 28 Thessaloniki Airport (SKG).
During the initial climb after takeoff, flight crew reported that they were unable to retract the landing gear.
The climb was terminated below 10,000 feet and the aircraft was placed in a holding pattern to allow troubleshooting checks to be carried out.
Following a brief period of holding off the coast to the south of Thessaloniki, flight crew elected to make a precautionary return to the origin airport.
Aircraft subsequently landed without further incident approximately 30 minutes after its initial departure.
According to the online source Aviation Herald, passengers were advised that the aircraft was returning due to the landing gear retraction problem. According to the passenger report, the fault was advised as being a faulty microswitch prior to the flight’s subsequent departure.
The aircraft was delayed on the ground due to the technical issue for approximately 90 minutes. It was then able to complete the scheduled service to London Gatwick Airport.
Flight data shows that flight BY4193 made its initial departure from Thessaloniki Airport at 1415 local time on 7 October.
Following its departure from runway 28, flight crew then terminated the climb procedure at 5000 feet. A holding pattern was then entered at that altitude to conduct troubleshooting checks.
The aircraft conducting the BY4193 service to London was a Boeing 737-800, registered G-TAWD. This is a 12.7-year-old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier TUI Airways.
It has been owned by the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in February 2012. The aircraft has been operated under lease from the carrier by Sunwing Airlines on several occasions during its operational life.
