Airline investigates clipped wing

David Kihara

Friday, Aug. 19, 2005 | 9:59 a.m.

American Airlines is investigating why one of its planes clipped its wing upon landing at McCarran International Airport.

American Airlines is investigating why one its MD 80 commmercial jets, Flight 1893 inbound from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, struck the runway with its right wingtip, about 10 a.m. Sunday, John Hotard, spokesman for the American Airlines, said.

The airline had 135 passengers onboard at the time of the incident, and no one was hurt.

"We don't consider this to be a major incident," he said.

He said that the two pilots were drug tested, but he said he couldn't release the results.

The two pilots, however, were "two of the more seasoned pilots" who work for American, he said.

The airline taxied on its own to the gate, said Jerry Pascual senior planner at McCarran.

It was immediately removed from commercial service after it landed, Hotard said.

Elaine Sanchez, spokeswoman for McCarran, said National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are not investigating the incident.

Hotard said the aircraft was flown out to the airline's overhaul maintenance base in Tulsa, Okla., where it was inspected for internal damage.

No significant structural damage was found and the aircraft was put back into service last week, he said.

Someone who had been videotaping planes landing at McCarran recorded footage of the incident, which was being broadcast on CNN today.

Hotard said the individual offered to sell the footage to American Airlines, but the airline declined to purchase it.