Vueling flight from Barcelona to Malaga circles back after trouble with landing gear

A Vueling Airlines flight bound for Malaga was compelled to make an emergency return to Barcelona-El Prat Airport shortly after takeoff today following the detection of a potential issue with the aircraft’s landing gear.

The flight, using an Airbus A320, departed from Barcelona’s main airport on early Monday, January 5. Minutes into the journey, the crew identified an anomaly related to the landing gear system during routine post-takeoff checks. Following standard safety protocols, the pilots declared an emergency and opted to return to the departure airport rather than continue to Malaga.

Flight tracked shows dramatic turn around

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft performing a U-turn over the Mediterranean before heading back. The plane landed safely on runway 24R and came to a stop on the runway for inspection. Emergency services, including fire crews, were on standby as a precaution, but no intervention was required.

No injuries were reported among passengers or crew, and the aircraft sustained no apparent damage. The incident temporarily disrupted operations at Barcelona-El Prat, forcing the airport to operate with a single runway until the A320 had been safely towed away.

Airline issues no statement or reason for concern

Vueling, the low-cost carrier owned by International Airlines Group (IAG), has not yet released an official statement on the exact cause of the suspected fault. Sources indicate the issue was detected promptly, allowing the crew to manage the situation effectively without escalating risks or any kind of panic among the passengers.

Such incidents, while alarming, go to show the rigorous safety measures in commercial aviation. Landing gear problems are among the most critical in-flight issues but are often resolved through precautionary returns, as in this case.

Passengers were deplaned safely and offered rebooking options or assistance. Investigations by aviation authorities are expected to follow to determine the root cause.