Passengers traveling on an American Eagle flight from Chicago to Washington, D.C., faced an unexpected diversion to Columbus, Ohio, on November 10, 2023, due to a mechanical issue with the aircraft’s windscreen shortly after takeoff. The flight, designated as AA4435, landed safely at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and was subsequently taken out of service for inspection by the airline’s maintenance team.
The flight departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) nearly two hours late, leaving the gate at 21:26 against an original schedule of 19:30. Following an anticipated flight time of just over an hour, the aircraft was on course to arrive at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) by 22:41. After approximately 44 minutes of flight, the crew identified a crack in the windscreen, prompting the decision to divert to Columbus out of an abundance of caution.
Once on the ground in Columbus, all passengers were disembarked while a replacement aircraft was arranged. The airline confirmed the incident, stating, “American Airlines flight 4435, operated by Republic Airways, experienced a mechanical issue with the windscreen and diverted to Columbus. The flight landed safely and the aircraft was taken out of service for inspection. Customers departed for DCA on a replacement aircraft. Safety is our priority, and we apologize for the inconvenience this caused.”
Details of the Diversion
Passengers were kept informed about the diversion through an announcement from the captain, who noted that the aircraft was deemed no longer airworthy. Data from Flightradar24 indicated that the aircraft, registered as N127HQ, remained on the apron at CMH for inspection. The replacement flight eventually took off from Columbus early the following morning at 02:18, landing in Washington at 03:11. This service was operated by another Embraer E175, identified by registration N124HQ.
When cracks are detected in an aircraft windscreen, pilots typically assess the damage to determine which layer has been affected. In some cases, lowering the altitude can help mitigate cabin pressure. Aircraft windscreens are designed with multiple layers to maintain structural integrity, ensuring safety in the event of a crack.
Aircraft Background
The Embraer E175LR involved in the incident is a 17-year-old aircraft with a rich operational history. According to ch-aviation, it carries the serial number 206 and was delivered to Republic Airways on February 14, 2008. This aircraft is configured to accommodate a total of 76 passengers, with 12 seats in Domestic First Class and 64 in the Main Cabin. It is powered by two General Electric GE CF34-8E engines.
Republic Airways operates regional services for major U.S. carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, with a fleet of 76 E175 aircraft dedicated to American Airlines operations. While primarily serving domestic routes, some flights extend to Canadian destinations such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.
The incident underscores the importance of safety protocols in the aviation industry, highlighting how quickly airlines can respond to unexpected mechanical issues to ensure passenger safety.
