Minnesota Vikings deal with unexpected travel scare as team plane turns back to Minneapolis shortly after takeoff toward Newark

What was supposed to be a routine travel day for the Minnesota Vikings quickly became anything but.

As the team prepared to shift focus fully to their upcoming matchup, their journey hit an unexpected snag before it had really begun.

Mechanical Trouble Forces a Quick Return

Shortly after taking off from Minneapolis on Saturday afternoon, the Vikings’ team plane ran into mechanical problems.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero revealed that the issue was serious enough to force the aircraft to turn around almost immediately.

Instead of continuing toward Newark, New Jersey, the plane headed straight back to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport.

Team Confirms the Situation

The Vikings later addressed the situation in a statement, explaining that the aircraft experienced mechanical difficulties soon after departure.

Because of that, the decision was made to return safely to the airport.

The team reassured fans that a replacement plane was already being arranged and that travel plans were back on track.

Flight Data Shows the Detour

Flight tracking data backed up the timeline.

The plane reportedly turned around over Wisconsin shortly after 2 p.m. and landed back in Minneapolis around 3 p.m.

About two hours later, the Vikings were back in the air aboard a different aircraft, continuing their trip east.

Delay Won’t Disrupt Game Preparations

While the delay was certainly inconvenient, it’s not expected to throw off the team’s routine ahead of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

The Vikings were still projected to arrive in New Jersey later that evening, leaving enough time to settle in and prepare as planned.

A Tough Season Nears Its End

With a 6–8 record, Minnesota is already out of playoff contention in a highly competitive NFC North.

Still, the team will be looking to finish the season on a positive note.

After the travel hiccup, attention now turns fully to what lies ahead on the field.