Delta plane wing clips runway during botched landing at LaGuardia Airport

Fox News - Mar 18th, 2025
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A Delta Air Lines plane, operating as Endeavor Air Flight 4814, experienced a runway incident at LaGuardia Airport, New York, when its left wing struck the runway during a go-around maneuver due to an unstable approach. The incident occurred late Sunday night after the flight from Jacksonville, Florida. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a go-around is a routine and safe procedure, and no injuries were reported among the 76 passengers and crew onboard. The FAA has initiated an investigation into the incident, while Delta has issued an apology to the passengers for the disruption.

This event follows a recent series of aviation mishaps involving Delta and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air, including a crash-landing in Toronto that injured several people. These incidents have sparked discussions about aviation safety and scrutiny over the impact of budget cuts on the FAA. Delta's CEO, Ed Bastian, has publicly stated that cuts have not compromised safety, emphasizing ongoing investments in technology and staffing. The broader context includes other global aviation accidents, highlighting concerns over airline safety standards and operational protocols worldwide.

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RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant account of a recent aviation incident involving Delta Air Lines at LaGuardia Airport. Its strengths lie in its factual accuracy, clear presentation, and public interest relevance. However, the story could benefit from more balanced perspectives, diverse sourcing, and improved transparency regarding the investigation process. The potential for public engagement and impact is present, but the article's effectiveness is somewhat limited by the lack of in-depth analysis and expert commentary. Overall, the article is informative and accessible, but there are opportunities for enhancing its depth and breadth to better serve readers seeking comprehensive insights into aviation safety issues.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story appears to be largely accurate, with details about the Delta Air Lines incident at LaGuardia Airport being consistent with available information. The story correctly identifies the flight as Endeavor Air Flight 4814 and notes the incident occurred during a go-around maneuver due to an unstable approach. However, the mention of a Delta Air Lines plane crash-landing and flipping over in Toronto seems to be a mix-up with another incident, as no such event occurred at the time. The story mentions a previous incident in Toronto involving Delta, which is accurate, but the description of the current event in Toronto is misleading. Additionally, the article includes details about the number of passengers and crew, which aligns with typical reporting but could benefit from explicit source verification.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the FAA and Delta Air Lines, focusing on official statements and responses. While this provides authoritative views, it lacks input from independent aviation experts or passengers, which could offer a broader perspective. The balance could be improved by including viewpoints from aviation safety analysts or passengers who experienced the incident. The story does not appear to favor any particular viewpoint excessively, but the reliance on official sources without additional context or counterpoints limits the diversity of perspectives.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and straightforward, with a logical flow of information from the incident description to the responses from relevant authorities. However, the inclusion of unrelated incidents and the mix-up regarding the Toronto crash-landing could confuse readers. The language is neutral and accessible, but the structure could be improved by separating different incidents into distinct sections to enhance clarity. Overall, the article effectively communicates the main points but could benefit from more precise organization.

7
Source quality

The article cites credible sources like the Federal Aviation Administration and Delta Air Lines, which are authoritative entities in aviation matters. However, the story relies heavily on statements from these organizations and lacks a variety of independent sources. Including insights from aviation experts or third-party analysts could enhance the depth and credibility of the reporting. The potential conflict of interest is minimal, as the sources are directly involved in the incident, but the article would benefit from more diverse sourcing to corroborate the official narrative.

6
Transparency

The article provides some transparency by citing official statements from the FAA and Delta Air Lines, but it lacks a clear explanation of the methodology behind the investigation or the criteria used to determine the cause of the incident. The article could improve transparency by detailing how the information was gathered and any limitations in the data. Additionally, the story does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases, which could affect the reader's perception of impartiality.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines_Flight_1086
  2. https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/03/18/delta-plane-wing-strikes-laguardia-airport-runway/
  3. https://www.fox5ny.com/news/laguardia-delta-plane-aborts-landing
  4. https://abc7ny.com/post/wing-delta-plane-strikes-runway-during-landing-laguardia-airport-queens-nyc/16039178/
  5. https://www.visionsafe.com/recent-smoke-in-the-cockpit-events/