Emirates A388 near Munich on Nov 2nd 2014, weather radar failure or could not retract body gear

An Emirates Airbus A380-800, registration A6-EDJ performing flight EK-46 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates), was climbing out of Frankfurt when the crew stopped the climb at FL150 but continued in the general direction towards Dubai. About abeam Munich Airport (Germany), 10nm east of the aerodrome, the crew decided to return to Frankfurt reporting problems with the radar (transponder signals were normal), otherwise normal operations and normal approach and landing to Frankfurt. The aircraft returned to Frankfurt for a safe landing one hour after turning around and 90 minutes after departure.

The flight was cancelled.

Passenger Peter Forscht reported in this coverage's user comments that the departure initially was uneventful until the crew extended the gear again explaining the brakes needed cooling and it would be retracted after a few minutes. While near Munich the gear was still extended, the captain announced they could not fully retract the landing gear again and needed to return to Frankfurt.

Ground Observer Alexander Nieder took a photo at Munich showing the aircraft's body gear extended with all other gear retracted and gear doors closed.

Ground observer taking a photo at Munich (Photo: Alexander Nieder):