Endeavor Air Flight Wing Strike Sparks FAA Investigation

NEW YORK - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation after Endeavor Air flight 4814, operated by Delta Air Lines, reported a wingtip strike during landing procedures at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on March 16, 2025. The incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m., as the Bombardier CRJ-900LR attempted to land. At the time, the aircraft was carrying 76 passengers and crew members.

Flight 4814 was arriving from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) when the crew encountered conditions resulting in what the FAA classified as an "unstable approach." Following protocol, the flight team executed a go-around maneuver to reposition for another landing attempt. During this phase, the left wingtip of the CRJ-900 made contact with the runway, reportedly producing visible sparks as witnessed by ground observers.

Air traffic control played a pivotal role during the incident. A controller communicated with the flight crew, saying, "Somebody saw some sparks from one of your wings, do you guys feel anything?" The pilots responded, "We didn’t, but we’ll check it." Despite the alarming circumstances, the crew maintained control of the aircraft and completed a successful landing on the second approach without any injuries reported among the occupants.

Delta Air Lines has responded to the incident by confirming the crew adhered to established procedures and expressing regret to passengers for the disruption. "The Endeavor Air flight crew followed established procedures to safely enact a go-around at New York-LaGuardia. The aircraft landed safely and proceeded to its arrival gate. We apologize to our customers for the experience," stated the airline.

Following the incident, the FAA initiated its investigation to explore the factors contributing to the wing strike, which may include environmental conditions, crew decision-making, or aircraft performance during the go-around. This scrutiny is especially relevant considering Endeavor Air's recent safety record, which has come under the spotlight after earlier incidents.

Notably, Endeavor Air recently faced increased attention following another incident where its CRJ-900 overturned during landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. That aircraft, which carried 80 individuals, flipped over, caught fire, but fortunately, all survived, albeit with 21 needing hospitalization. Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the professionalism of the Endeavor crew members during the emergency situation and offered compensation to the impacted passengers—$30,000 each, which could total more than $2.2 million if accepted by everyone.

The company has since implemented additional safety measures and removed the involved aircraft from service immediately following the LaGuardia incident for a thorough maintenance inspection. At this time, there are no indications of significant damage or immediate safety concerns beyond the contact made during the event.

The incident at LaGuardia has drawn mixed reviews among aviation safety experts, with some arguing it reflects broader issues related to operational safety and crew training, especially considering the timing so close to the February crash. "The response of first responders was textbook," noted Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson International Airport, crediting their actions with averting losses during the earlier flight's difficulties.

While this latest incident did not result in injuries and flight operations at LGA remained unaffected, the FAA is committed to delivering comprehensive insights concerning any necessary corrective actions based on its upcoming report. Delta and Endeavor Air’s focus next will be on analyzing the situation to reinforce safety protocols.

Passengers who experienced the uncertainty of the go-around are encouraged to remain vigilant and aware as investigations continue to shed light on the causes of such incidents. Airlines worldwide must prioritize safety and training to prevent similar occurrences. With significant public interest and scrutiny of airline operations, the safety of passengers remains the highest priority.

Stay tuned for more updates, and join us for the latest on these developing stories as the aviation community reflects on recent challenges and strives for improvement.