Delta Flight 360 had to circle around the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, Atlanta, Georgia, for about an hour and a half after the air traffic controller jokingly told the pilot not to land.
The incident happened on June 11 when the flight 360 was at the 1000 feet and ready to descend. The air traffic controller told the pilot that he could not land and that he should circle around for some time. However, just a few seconds later, he said, “I’m kidding, Delta 630. After you land, I’ve got no one behind you. Expect to exit right. Delta 630 you’re clear to land on (runway) 27-Left.”
By that time, the pilot had already aborted landing and started ascending the Boeing 777 to 40,000 feet. The plane then had to circle around before it could finally land.
The FAA is investigating the air traffic controller.
Mesa Airlines flight YV-6176 made an emergency landing in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 26th.
Hawaiian Airlines flight HA-43 had to divert and make an emergency landing in Oakland, California, on September 12th.
Lufthansa flight LH-430 made an emergency landing in Frankfurt, Germany, on August 19th.