A Lufthansa flight bound for Frankfurt made a return to New York after shutting down an engine in flight due to a hydraulic problem on 12 May 2025.
Lufthansa flight LH405, operated by an Airbus A340-300, had conducted a departure from New York John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The aircraft was performing a scheduled service bound for Frankfurt am Main International Airport (FRA).
Lufthansa LH405 New York-Frankfurt
Whilst at cruising level over the Atlantic Ocean, flight crew reported a failure of the aircraft’s number 2 left-hand inboard engine. Operating crew subsequently requested a descent to a lower cruising level due to the failure.
Shortly thereafter, flight crew elected to conduct a turnaround and return to New York. A direct return track was initiated.
According to the Aviation Herald, after receiving a clearance to land on runway 31L flight crew reported encountering a further technical problem.
A missed approach procedure was conducted and the aircraft entered holding at 2,000 feet. This allowed flight crew to carry out troubleshooting checks. The problem was then rectified, and the aircraft was repositioned for a second approach to runway 31L.
The aircraft then landed safely from the second landing attempt, approximately two hours after the flight’s initial departure.
Flight Details
Flight data shows that flight LH405 had made an on-time departure from New York JFK at 21:41 local time on 12 May.
Following departure, the flight had set course normally. The aircraft was climbed to flight level FL350 for the transatlantic service to Frankfurt am Main International Airport.
The aircraft was at cruising level approximately 50nm from Nantucket, MA on flight plan track when the engine failure occurred.
A descent to FL290 was then initiated, before flight crew decided to make a precautionary return to New York.
The aircraft conducting the LH405 rotation to Frankfurt was an Airbus A340-300, registered D-AIGN. This is a 27.2 year old widebody aircraft belonging to the German national carrier Lufthansa. It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in March 1998. The aircraft bears the airline name “Solingen”.
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