A routine regional arrival took an unexpected turn on February 26th 2026 when a Delta Connection jet struck its wingtips during a go-around in Atlanta before landing safely on a second attempt.
The Endeavor Air Bombardier CRJ700, registered N354CA, was operating flight DL-5304 on behalf of Delta Air Lines from Montgomery, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia with 64 passengers and four crew members on board.
While landing on runway 27L at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the aircraft initiated a go-around. During the maneuver, the jet’s wings struck the ground. Despite the contact, the crew climbed the aircraft to 3,000 feet, stabilized the situation, and repositioned for another approach.
Approximately 15 minutes later, the CRJ-700 landed on runway 27L without further incident. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration stated: “Aircraft wings struck the ground while attempting a go-around, Atlanta, GA.”
As of about 27 hours after landing, the aircraft remained on the ground for inspection and assessment. On March 4th 2026, the National Transportation Safety Board announced it had opened a Class 4 investigation into the occurrence. Under this classification, no preliminary report will be released. The agency indicated the aircraft sustained minor damage.
Wingtip strikes during landing or go-around are rare events and can occur if bank angle or pitch attitudes exceed limits at very low altitude. In this case, the crew’s ability to regain control and complete a safe landing ensured the event concluded without more serious consequences.
