Just under a month ago we reported on a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 incident in Ponta Delgada, Portugal. After a hard landing, the aircraft's skin buckled, presumably due to structural damage. At the time, many commented that the aircraft was heading to a new life as beer cans, however, it appears now that it has been saved.On the 19th of August, a Boeing 757 aircraft was damaged, seemingly beyond reasonable repair, in Ponta Delgada. The aircraft, belonging to Delta Air Lines, showed several instances of buckled skin in its fuselage. However, after some repairs on the island, the aircraft was ferried back to Atlanta today with no passengers on board.

What happened?

On the 18th of August, N543US departed New York’s JFK airport at one minute past midnight. The aircraft had been due to depart at 21:41, however, representing a two hour and 20-minute delay departing. 4-hours and 27-minutes after departing from New York, the aircraft arrived in Ponta Delgada.

It looked as though the Boeing 757 being used for the flight sustained a fair bit of damage while landing at Ponta Delgada airport. Photos of the incident were circulated on social media. These suggested that the aircraft’s skin buckled at the top just in front of the number two door. Additionally, the bottom of the fuselage appeared to have been damaged just behind where the nose gear is located.

Since we originally covered the story, a commenter on the Simple Flying website by the name of "J Flyer" said,

"Post-flight [the pilot] came out minutes after the landing talking about a 30 knot crosswind. I saw the damage after we deplaned, but really thought it was pre-existing cosmetic damage. I was wrong. Was definitely the worst / scariest landing I’ve ever experienced."

Back to Atlanta

Despite many people having no hope for the aircraft, N543US has defied the odds. According to FlightRadar24.com, the aircraft took off from Ponta Delgada at 17:15 this afternoon. It is being flown back across the Atlantic Ocean to Atlanta.

The repairs made to the aircraft are not immediately clear, however, more repairs will likely take place once the aircraft arrives in the US, where a team of Delta Air Lines mechanics will assess the damage.

Earlier this year, Simple Flying discovered when exactly an aircraft is written off, and when it is repaired. While an aircraft may be an insurance write off, airlines can spend a large sum getting aircraft airworthy again. Why not find out more here?

Were you surprised to see Delta's damaged Boeing 757 has taken to the skies again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!