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Endeavor Air CRJ700 suffers dual wing-tip strikes during Atlanta crosswind landing
A CRJ700 operated by Endeavor Air experienced wing-tip strikes on both wings during a go-around at Atlanta due to insufficient crosswind compensation amid gusty conditions.
The gist
Endeavor Air's CRJ700 wing-tip strikes during Atlanta landing linked to inadequate crosswind correction amid gusts.
An Endeavor Air CRJ700 encountered a challenging landing at Atlanta's runway 27L on 26 February when both its wing-tips contacted the ground during a go-around maneuver. The aircraft was inbound on the HOBTT3 arrival from Montgomery, Alabama, and faced increasing turbulence and gusty crosswinds during its final approach. The captain, who was at the controls, reported making a controlled landing attempt but encountered an unexpected gust that compromised crosswind correction.
During the descent, the flight encountered light turbulence that intensified below 1,000 feet while aligned with the instrument landing system (ILS). At around 100 feet above ground level, the first officer noticed the aircraft's airspeed was 10 knots above the target reference, prompting a slight thrust adjustment by the captain to manage speed for landing. The flare was initiated at 30 feet, a standard height to prepare the aircraft for touchdown.
At that critical moment, the aircraft reportedly encountered a sudden gust of wind which caused the airplane to balloon, effectively canceling out the crosswind correction that the flight crew had been managing. As the left wing dipped closer to the runway surface, it made contact, scraping the runway. Recognizing the compromised approach, the captain called for a go-around and attempted to level the wings to regain control and climb.
However, in the process of correcting the aircraft's bank angle, the captain overcompensated, resulting in the right wing-tip also striking the runway. Following these wing-tip strikes, control was handed over to the first officer, who executed a second approach safely and successfully landed the jet. No injuries were reported among the 68 occupants onboard during this incident.
The CRJ700 is known to have low ground clearance due to its undercarriage design, which limits the margin before a wing-tip strike can occur during banking maneuvers close to the runway surface. Weather data recorded approximately 20 minutes prior to the event indicated wind gusts reaching 30 knots from 210°, creating difficult conditions for managing crosswind landings.
Damage to the aircraft included leading-edge slats and the wing-tips on both wings, requiring subsequent inspection and maintenance. The investigation by U.S. safety authorities highlighted that the insufficient compensation for the gusting crosswinds was the primary factor leading to the dual wing-tip strikes during the go-around procedure.
Pilot testimonies to the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the sequence of events surrounding the approach, gust encounter, and the subsequent overcorrection. These insights contribute to understanding the challenges pilots face when executing landings under variable and swiftly changing wind conditions, particularly in aircraft with limited wing clearance.
This incident underscores the operational challenges of crosswind landings and the critical need for precise control inputs in light of sudden gusts. The procedural adjustments made after the event reflect the importance of managing aircraft performance during final approach phases in complex weather environments.
Frequently asked questions
- What caused the dual wing-tip strikes on the CRJ700 during the Atlanta landing?
- The captain did not sufficiently compensate for gusting crosswinds which led to the left wing hitting the runway and then an overcorrection caused the right wing to strike during the go-around.
- Were there any injuries reported from the Endeavor Air CRJ700 incident?
- No injuries were reported among the 68 occupants onboard the aircraft during the incident.
- What weather conditions were present during the CRJ700's approach at Atlanta?
- There were gusts recorded up to 30 knots from 210° about 20 minutes before the incident, which created difficult crosswind conditions during the landing attempt.
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