FORT WORTH— American Airlines (AA) flight AAL48, operating from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), diverted to Nashville International Airport (BNA) due to a mechanical issue on August 31, 2025.
The Boeing 777 made the unscheduled landing late Sunday, and the airline later confirmed a fuel leak was the cause.
The diversion drew attention locally, as widebody aircraft like the Boeing 777 are less common at BNA. While the arrival was unexpected, airport operations continued without disruption since Nashville International (BNA) remains open 24 hours a day.
Photo: Clément AlloingAmerican Airlines Flight Diverted to Nashville
According to FlightRadar24 data, American Airlines flight AA48 took off from Dallas at 1:15 AM UTC.
After being airborne for over an hour, the crew reported a mechanical issue and decided to make a diversion at Nashville. The flight landed safely back at BNA at 3:07 AM UTC.
American Airlines confirmed that flight AAL48 diverted after the crew identified a mechanical issue linked to a fuel leak. Safety protocols required the immediate diversion to the nearest suitable airport, and Nashville (BNA) was selected.
The aircraft landed safely, and passengers remained on board until ground crews managed the situation.
The flight was operated by a Boeing 777-200ER, registered as N778AN. It is a 26.2-year-old aircraft powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 8000 engines.
Mechanical diversions are not rare for international carriers, particularly on long-haul flights like DFW–CDG. When such issues occur, operational safety takes priority over scheduling or routing.
In this case, maintenance teams determined the problem was significant enough to keep the aircraft grounded in Nashville rather than allowing it to continue to Paris.
Photo: Cado PhotoNashville International’s Role
Nashville International Airport (BNA) does not close overnight. Both its airfield and control tower operate around the clock, handling passenger flights, business aviation, and overnight cargo operations.
Even though a Boeing 777 arrival is unusual in Nashville, the airport is equipped to manage widebody aircraft when needed.
This is not the first time American Airlines has used BNA for an unscheduled diversion. Just weeks earlier, another Boeing 777 diverted there on a late-night medical emergency.
In both cases, the airport handled the diversions without delay, underscoring its readiness to support long-haul carriers when operational issues arise.
After the diversion, American Airlines scheduled a recovery flight to take passengers onward to Paris (CDG).
A rescue aircraft was dispatched from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Nashville (BNA) the following afternoon, arriving around 4:15 pm on Monday (September 1, 2025).
Photo: By Tomás Del Coro from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA – N619NK Spirit Airlines Airbus A320-232 s/n 5517, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77926311Similar Incident
A Spirit Airlines (NK) flight made an emergency landing on April 27, 2025, after the crew detected a major fuel leak.
Flight NK332, traveling from Philadelphia (PHL) to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), diverted to L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) at 9:41 p.m. local time when the issue was confirmed.
The aircraft involved, an Airbus A320 registered N631NK, was operating the evening service from Philadelphia (PHL) to San Juan (SJU). Around 9:00 p.m., pilots reported a leak from the right wing and declared an emergency. Air traffic controllers quickly coordinated the diversion to Bermuda (BDA).
Emergency services were activated before the aircraft touched down. Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service units met the A320 on arrival, confirming fuel spilling from the right wingtip. Crews ordered an immediate shutdown of fuel pumps to reduce the risk of fire and environmental damage.
Once initial checks were complete, the aircraft was escorted to the terminal under close supervision. Firefighters positioned containment equipment beneath the wing and monitored the situation while passengers remained safely on board.
Emergency teams acted quickly to secure the aircraft and manage the leak. Firefighters provided continued support after the A320 parked, ensuring no additional hazards developed. Airport staff confirmed that all 115 passengers were unharmed.
According to Skyport, the company managing Bermuda’s airport, the aircraft underwent a detailed inspection following the landing. A relief aircraft was dispatched to Bermuda overnight to carry passengers onward to Puerto Rico.
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