NTSB attributes CRJ700 dual wing strike to poor crosswind correction.
Photo: ERIC SALARD from PARIS, FRANCE / CC BY-SA 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) · source
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that inadequate crosswind inputs caused an Endeavor Air CRJ700 to strike both wingtips during a landing attempt at Atlanta. Encountering a sudden gust during the flare, the aircraft ballooned and rolled left, scraping the runway before the captain overcorrected during the go-around and drove the right wing into the pavement. For pilots transitioning to regional jets, this event underscores the necessity of flying the airplane through the entire flare, especially in airframes with tight ground clearances.
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Approaching Atlanta runway 27L with winds gusting to thirty knots from the southwest, the regional jet crew faced a demanding left crosswind. The captain disconnected the autopilot early to gauge the turbulent conditions and managed the approach down to the flare. However, carrying an extra ten knots of airspeed into the roundout set the stage for a ballooning effect when a sudden gust struck. As the aircraft ballooned, the vital crosswind control inputs were inadvertently relaxed. This incident highlights the specific aerodynamic vulnerabilities of the CRJ700 and similar low-slung regional airframes. The aircraft sits very close to the ground on its landing gear, severely restricting the available bank angle before a wingtip contacts the concrete. When the left wing dipped and scraped the tarmac, the captain made the sound decision to call a go-around. Yet, transitioning from a destabilized flare into a climb requires smooth, measured inputs. The aggressive attempt to level the wings and arrest the sink rate resulted in an overcorrection, dropping the right wing into the runway. Following the dual strike, the crew demonstrated solid resource management by transferring control to the first officer, who flew the subsequent approach to a safe landing. Although all occupants were unharmed, the jet suffered damage to its wingtips and leading-edge slats. For flight students and aspiring airline pilots, this investigation serves as a stark reminder of fundamental stick-and-rudder mechanics. Crosswind corrections must be maintained until the aircraft is firmly on the ground or safely climbing away on a missed approach. In swept-wing jets with limited roll margins, prematurely relaxing those inputs can quickly compound a challenging landing into an emergency.