A Spirit Airlines Airbus A321neo performed a very low go-around on approach into Chicago on February 28th 2026, later revealing tail scrape damage during post-flight inspection.
The Spirit Airlines Airbus A321neo, registered N737NK, was operating flight NK-1 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to O’Hare International Airport. The aircraft had departed runway 10R at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport without reported issue and proceeded northbound toward Illinois.
On final approach to runway 10C at O’Hare, the aircraft initiated a go-around from very low height above the runway. The crew climbed away, repositioned for another approach to the same runway, and subsequently landed safely approximately three hours and fifteen minutes after departure.
The Federal Aviation Administration later reported: “Aircraft landed and post flight inspection revealed scrapes on the tail, Chicago, IL.”
Tail scrapes can occur when an aircraft’s pitch attitude becomes excessive during rotation, flare, or a go-around maneuver, allowing the lower aft fuselage to contact the runway surface. The A321neo, like other stretched narrowbody variants, has specific pitch awareness procedures designed to prevent such contact, particularly during high-workload phases of flight.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, and the aircraft taxied clear after landing. The jet was expected to undergo further inspection to assess the extent of structural damage before returning to service.
While the flight concluded safely, the combination of a very low go-around and confirmed tail contact underscores how rapidly routine approaches can escalate into events requiring precise handling and post-flight structural checks.
