Endeavor Air flight's wing strikes runway at LaGuardia as pilot attempts "go-around," FAA says
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after an Endeavor Air flight's wing struck a runway at LaGuardia Airport and "somebody saw some sparks."
Seventy-six passengers were on board Endeavor Air Flight 4814, which was attempting to land Sunday night when the pilot executed a go-around maneuver due to an "unstable approach," the FAA said.
Endeavor is the Delta Air Lines-owned regional carrier that operated the plane that crashed and turned upside down during landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport in February.
"Somebody saw some sparks"
According to the FAA, the pilot of Flight 4814 was in the process of landing, but had to return to high altitude to make another attempt due to an unstable approach. That maneuver is referred to as a go-around.
Air traffic control audio reveals the wingtip struck the runway at some point during the go-around just after 10 p.m.
"Somebody saw some sparks from one of your wings, do you guys feel anything?" the air traffic controller asks.
"We didn't, but we'll check it," the pilot replies.
Delta said in a statement, "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."
The FAA says a go-around is a safe, routine maneuver where the pilot and air traffic controller are in full command of the situation.
The agency is investigating the incident.
