In a concerning incident, an American Airlines commercial flight made a "hard landing" at Kahului Airport in Maui, Hawaii, resulting in six people being hospitalized with minor injuries. The Airbus A320 experienced an issue upon landing around 2 p.m. local time, according to a statement from the airline. Five of the injured were flight attendants, while one was a passenger. Fortunately, all six individuals were later released from the hospital.
The cause of the issue that led to the bumpy landing remains unclear, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. This incident adds to a series of flight-related mishaps that have recently plagued Boeing, Airbus' rival manufacturer. These incidents include a door panel ripping off mid-flight, cracks in a window, sparks flying from an engine failure, and a front wheel detaching just before takeoff.
The American Airlines flight, numbered 271, departed from Los Angeles International Airport and was scheduled to arrive in Maui at 12:47 p.m. However, it experienced a delay of approximately 79 minutes on the ground at LAX before finally taking off. The weather in Maui at the time of landing was partly cloudy and windy, with a temperature of around 80 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Upon landing, the aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power, and passengers disembarked normally. The aircraft has since been taken out of service for inspection by the airline's maintenance team. American Airlines emphasized its commitment to safety and stated that the well-being of its customers and team members is their top priority.
The FAA is actively investigating the cause of the hard landing, and further details regarding the incident are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. This incident comes shortly after another American Airlines plane slid off the runway at New York's Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport due to snowy conditions.
themes: Los Angeles California New York (state) Hawaii