Edelweiss Air A340 returns to Zurich after landing gear door warning

An Edelweiss Air flight to the Dominican Republic turned back to Zurich Airport shortly after departure after the crew received a cockpit warning about the landing gear doors. The aircraft, an Airbus A340-300 registered HB-JMC, was operating flight WK34 from Zurich to Punta Cana. The warning indicated that the landing gear doors were not closed.

Because the jet carried a heavy fuel load for the long transatlantic sector, it was above its maximum landing weight. The crew entered a hold at 8,000 feet for about 20 minutes to reduce weight, then climbed to 22,000 feet to work through the relevant non-normal checklists. With the procedures complete and landing parameters met, the pilots descended and set up an approach back into Zurich. The aircraft touched down on Runway 34 roughly 90 minutes after takeoff.

Emergency services met the aircraft as a precaution. No passengers or crew were injured.

Edelweiss Air has not said when the aircraft will return to service or when travellers will be rebooked onto later flights to Punta Cana.