The NTSB said Wednesday it has launched its investigation into a possible wind shear encounter by an American Airlines jet, which had a tail strike before executing a go-around in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday. The Airbus 321 was inbound from Atlanta to Charlotte Douglas International Airport about 6:34 p.m. Saturday when it reportedly flew into wind shear on final. The Airbus struck runway approach lights, then struck its tail on the runway before going around, according to the NTSB. The jet landed without further incident and no injuries were reported, but the aircraft “suffered substantial damage,” the board said.
According to a Bloomberg report, the jet had 153 passengers and six crew members on board. After landing, the captain saw damage along the underside of the aircraft and reported the incident. The NTSB said it will examine the flight data and cockpit voice recorders as well as aircraft performance and weather conditions at the time of the incident. Citing an unnamed source, The Wall Street Journal reported the Airbus had touched the ground short of the runway prior to the go-around.
