On the morning of July 2, 2025, a Raleigh, North Carolina, homeowner made a startling discovery: a large metal piece from a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER wing flap blocking their driveway on Banbury Road, near Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
This unusual incident has sparked an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and raised questions about aircraft safety. Here’s what we know about this rare event.
The Incident: A Wing Flap in a Driveway
Around 8:30 AM on July 2, a homeowner contacted 911 to report a massive metal object obstructing their driveway. The object was later identified as a section of a trailing edge wing flap from Delta flight DL3247, a Boeing 737-900ER.
The flight had departed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) at 11:06 PM on July 1, carrying 109 passengers and six crew members.
It landed safely at RDU around 12:24 AM on July 2, despite the missing flap. No injuries or property damage were reported.
Delta Air Lines then responded, recovering the wing flap around 12:30 PM on July 2. A post-landing inspection of the aircraft confirmed that a portion of the left wing’s trailing edge flap had detached, likely during the final approach to RDU.
“A portion of the left wing’s trailing edge flap evidently separated from the aircraft prior to its safe landing,” said Delta spokesperson Samantha Facteau.
“After the aircraft landed safely, it was observed that a portion of the left wing’s trailing edge flap was not in place. Delta is fully supporting retrieval efforts and will cooperate with investigations as nothing is more important than safety.”
The aircraft involved in the incident was a Boeing 737-900ER, registered N940DU. This is a 12.9 year old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier Delta Air Lines.
It has been in operational service with the airline since March 2023. The aircraft has since been grounded at RDU for repairs, likely at Delta’s TechOps maintenance facility in Raleigh.
FAA Investigation Underway
The FAA is leading an investigation to determine how and why the wing flap detached. Delta is cooperating fully, emphasizing that passenger safety was never compromised.
Incidents like this remain a rarity. According to aviation safety records, parts detaching from commercial aircraft mid-flight are uncommon.
In most cases, they involve minor components that do not compromise flight safety. The FAA’s probe will likely focus on maintenance records, material fatigue, and whether the detachment was due to a manufacturing defect or external factors like impact.
Community and Industry Response
Residents near RDU were shocked to learn of the incident. “I couldn’t believe a piece of an airplane ended up in someone’s driveway,” said a local neighbor in a statement to WRAL News.
While no homes were damaged, the event has raised concerns about debris risks near airports. Delta has assured the public that it is taking the matter seriously and will implement any necessary safety enhancements.
The aircraft remains out of service pending repairs and inspections. Delta’s operations at RDU have not been disrupted, as the airline maintains a robust fleet.
The investigation’s findings will likely influence future maintenance protocols across the industry.
As the FAA and Delta investigate, the focus will be on ensuring such incidents remain rare. For now, the residents of Banbury Road have an interesting story to tell.
