Incident During Landing at LaGuardiaA Delta Air Lines aircraft encountered a tense moment while landing at LaGuardia Airport on Sunday night when its left wing struck the runway. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilots promptly executed a “go-around” maneuver at approximately 10:10 p.m. The incident took place on Delta Air Lines 4814, which was en route from Jacksonville, Florida, to LaGuardia. The flight was operated by Endeavor Air, the same regional carrier linked to a recent crash in Toronto involving a plane that overturned and caught fire during landing.
The aircraft was carrying 76 passengers along with two pilots and two flight attendants. Despite the wing making contact with the runway, no injuries were reported among those on board. Officials from the Port Authority assured that the incident did not disrupt airport operations, and flights at LaGuardia continued as scheduled.
Air Traffic Control and Crew ResponseAudio recordings from air traffic control captured a conversation between the control tower and the pilots following the incident. An air traffic controller alerted the crew, stating, “Somebody saw some sparks from one of your wings. You guys feel anything?” In response, one of the pilots replied, “We didn’t, but we’ll check it.” The exchange highlights that the crew did not immediately sense the wing’s contact with the runway but remained attentive to the situation.
Delta later issued a statement emphasizing that the Endeavor Air flight crew followed proper protocols to safely execute a go-around before successfully landing. The airline assured passengers that the aircraft made it safely to the arrival gate without further complications. “We apologize to our customers for the experience,” Delta Air Lines stated.
Investigation and Aircraft StatusAs of Monday afternoon, the aircraft involved in the incident remained grounded at LaGuardia Airport while officials assessed the situation. The FAA will likely conduct a formal review to determine any contributing factors, including weather conditions, aircraft performance, and potential pilot response.
Although no passengers were harmed, the event adds to a growing list of aviation incidents requiring immediate in-flight corrections. While go-arounds are standard safety procedures in aviation, incidents involving physical contact with the runway can raise concerns about aircraft integrity and operational safety.
Delta Air Lines has yet to provide additional details regarding any potential mechanical issues or required repairs. Passengers aboard the flight have not reported any significant disruptions beyond the brief delay caused by the go-around maneuver.
The airline industry maintains rigorous safety standards, and while such incidents are rare, they underscore the importance of pilot training and aircraft maintenance. The FAA is expected to release further information upon completing its review of the flight’s landing sequence.
