Yesterday's DL 1075 MEM-LAX departed ontime yesterday. I knew something was amiss because we leveled out right after takeoff. The Captain informed us over the intercom that we had to return to MEM due to cargo being loaded incorrectly. Was a 738, no AVOD.

So, we returned to MEM where the station manager, a lady wearing a safety vest, boarded the flight and apologized for the delay and told us that we could leave the a/c but they would appreciate it if we would not as we would be on our way soon. After about an hour more, we did indeed get underway and were about an hour and a half late getting into LAX.

I am very appreciative that DL kept me safe and got me to my destination with a bearable delay. I am not looking for miles and/or sympathy.

My questions:

1) What kind of cargo loading error would result in an a/c returning?
2) How is it that such an error was discovered, and then only discovered after takeoff?
3) As it is a fairly long domestic flight, was there any additional risk in landing with the amount of fuel gauged to get us to LAX when we only flew for 10 minutes or so, or are such risks generally only for much longer TPACs and TATLs with larger a/c?

Again, I'm just mostly curious if any FTers have a clue as to how/why this happened as it was a first for me.

Interesting. Unfortunately, I can't answer your primary questions, but I can say that the 738 shouldn't have been above MLW after departure for a MEM-LAX segment. While it's a moderately long flight, the 738 regularly flies much longer segments (think full transcons and even ORD-ANC) and is built to accommodate that weight. You shouldn't have been anywhere near the MTOW of ~79 metric tons at departure, and were likely even below MLW of ~65 metric tons.

I would bet the airplane landed moderately overweight and that maintenance performed the required inspection before the 2nd departure.

My guess would be that the cargo load was positioned wrong, such that the center of balance was out of spec. The crew might not have been able to tell on the ground, but in the air they could tell by how much trim was required. It could have been a case where the fuel burn off would have made the C/B problem worse, so they needed to land sooner rather than later.

My guess is that the load planner (probably in Atlanta) made a mistake with his/her calculations regarding WB or CG, and didn't realize it until after the plane was airborne.

Maybe the ground crew loaded the wrong bin, or accidentally put HAZMAT where it didn't belong.

Or (less likely) it was some kind of security issue and they just didn't tell you that.

The balance hypothesis sounds plausible but could it have been that some of the cargo wasn't secured and was shifting around once the aircraft started moving?

Could have been a bunch of Ham Sandwiches from C.E. Woolman's desk.

You're in luck... I've asked a friend who's in the employ of the widget. Apparently it was logged in the daily summary and they accidentally loaded an animal and dry ice in the same bin, which would eventually deplete the oxygen. They realized it obviously and everyone, including the pet, is fine.

Many thanks. Happy to give up an hour and a half so that fido made it safely. How much money did it cost DL to take off and land the 738? Is this something that would get someone terminated or is this just a write them up and it can't happen again offense?

How many miles do you think the pet deserves for this?

Just kidding, glad to hear all worked out.

Dear Fido,
We are deeply sorry to hear of your flight on September 3rd. Delta cares deeply for its 4-legged customers and works to ensure they have air to breate on every flight. Sometimes though, there isn't enough air, and, you know, things happen........ Thankfully someone caught the mistake. In any case, we are issuing you 400 delta-bones, now with real meat flavor!

Based on the thread title, I though for sure that this would be yet another DYKWIA cherry medallion complaint thread. Especially since returning to the airport after takeoff because you don't like your seatmate is a benefit not available to lesser medallions.

Alas, this isn't a route that cherry medallions fly, so I must be mistaken.

Not simply real meat flavor... Real ham...

it's real ham only because the SkyPetClub members complained about the "Ham Like Food Product" in the club after the merger replacing the real stuff