American Eagle Flight Diverts After Runway Debris Puncture

An American Eagle flight operating on behalf of American Airlines was forced to divert to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) on March 9, 2026, after striking debris on the runway during takeoff from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The incident resulted in a hole in the radome of the Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft.

Details of the Incident

PSA Airlines flight AA5561, bound for Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), departed DCA’s Runway 15 at approximately 11:29 PM on March 9. The crew reported a significant impact although accelerating, but successfully became airborne. However, sensing a potential structural anomaly, the pilots halted their climb at 4,000 feet and declared an emergency.

The aircraft, a 22-year-old CRJ-700 with tail number N517AE, which was delivered to American Eagle Airlines in 2003 and joined the PSA Airlines fleet in 2017, diverted to IAD, landing approximately 16 minutes after takeoff. Upon inspection, crews discovered a puncture in the radome, the protective nose cone housing vital weather radar equipment.

Investigation and Aircraft Status

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident, focusing on the foreign object debris (FOD) that caused the damage. The nature of the object has not yet been disclosed.

Despite the damage, the aircraft reportedly returned to service the following day, suggesting the radome damage was not extensive enough to require prolonged grounding. The aircraft remained grounded at Washington Dulles until the evening of March 10, 2026, according to Flightradar24 data.

Safety Implications

This incident highlights the ongoing risk of runway debris and its potential impact on aircraft safety. Airports routinely inspect runways for FOD, but small objects can still pose a threat. The quick response of the flight crew and the availability of a nearby diversion airport ensured a safe outcome in this case.

Key Takeaways

• An American Eagle CRJ-700 (N517AE) diverted to Washington Dulles after hitting debris on takeoff from Reagan National.
• The impact caused a hole in the aircraft’s radome.
• The flight crew responded effectively, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew.
• The FAA is investigating the incident.

Sources: FlightGlobal, Simple Flying, AeroExplorer, BoltFlight