NEW YORK- Dallas Fort Worth-based American Airlines (AA) departing from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) experienced a critical bird strike incident that forced an emergency landing at JFK Airport on Thursday evening (November 13, 2024).
The flight numbered 1722 headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, encountered a sudden engine failure after a bird impacted the aircraft’s engine shortly after takeoff. This led to an engine fire.
American Airlines Emergency Landing
Passenger Crystal Groves Thomas captured video evidence of the bird striking the engine, documenting the tense moments during the unexpected aviation emergency.
The pilot immediately reported the incident to air traffic control, stating, “It appears we have an engine failure, but we’re still kind of working through to figure out what’s going on. We hit birds on the way out.”
The Airbus A321, carrying 190 passengers and six crew members, successfully executed a single-engine landing at JFK Airport. Despite the potentially dangerous situation, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
American Airlines released an official statement confirming the diversion, emphasizing the crew’s professionalism and apologizing for the inconvenience caused to passengers. The aircraft will undergo a comprehensive maintenance inspection to assess the damage from the bird strike.
Passengers were temporarily accommodated in local hotels, with the flight scheduled to re-depart on Friday morning. The emergency landing bears similarities to the renowned “Miracle on the Hudson” incident from 2009
Miracle on the Hudson
On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 executed an unprecedented emergency water landing in the Hudson River after a catastrophic bird strike. The Airbus A320, departing from LaGuardia Airport in New York City, carried 150 passengers and 5 crew members, including Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III.
Approximately two minutes after takeoff, the aircraft flew into a flock of Canada geese, causing severe damage to both engines and resulting in an almost complete loss of thrust. Despite multiple attempts to restart the engines, Captain Sullenberger quickly determined that returning to LaGuardia or diverting to a nearby airport was impossible.
At 3:29 pm, Sullenberger announced to passengers, “Brace for impact,” and successfully executed a water landing on the Hudson River. The plane’s fuselage made initial contact with the water, suffering significant damage, particularly a rupture allowing water to enter the aircraft. However, the plane remained buoyant, primarily due to partially empty fuel tanks.
Passengers and crew evacuated using forward slide/rafts, with many walking onto the wings or entering inflatable rafts. Local ferries and emergency responders arrived within minutes, providing immediate assistance. While five people sustained more serious injuries and some passengers were treated for hypothermia, no fatalities occurred.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted an extensive investigation and ultimately validated Sullenberger’s decision to land on the Hudson River. His actions were widely celebrated, transforming him into a national hero. The incident gained further prominence with the 2016 Clint Eastwood film “Sully,” starring Tom Hanks, which dramatized the event.
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