An Embraer E175 regional jet lost its right winglet in turbulence Tuesday and the crew had to divert. “American Airlines flight 3729 from Charleston (CHS) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), an Embraer E175 operated by Envoy, diverted to Birmingham (BHM) after a possible mechanical issue following turbulence midflight,” an American Airlines spokesperson told AeroTime. “Customers were re-accommodated on an alternate flight that departed last night.”
Passengers posted dozens of photos online of the wingletless right wing. As has been the case for the last few days, weather was unstable over the region at the time of the incident and there was a small chance of damaging winds over northern Alabama. The winglet departed while the plane was just south of Birmingham, and weather at the time on the ground was benign.
They diverted because of the missing winglet? Other than fuel efficiency, I don’t think they have any other use. I flew 757’s before and after winglets. They flew fine both ways.
I’d wager it no longer meets it’s type certificate with part of a wing missing.
Absolutely correct, Mr. William
There is an FAA document called a configuration deviation list CDL. It’s possible the missing winglet would be legal to fly without it as long as there is no other damage to the wing and the crew complies with the CDL. You would be amazed at what is included in a CDL for an airliner. And that CDL would be an FAA approved document.
The CDL for a missing winglet usually involves removing the other (left) winglet to maintain balance. I don’t think anybody would accept dispatch with one installed and one removed. You want both or neither.
Where did the winglet land?
I’d suggest there is no way to tell for sure form the cockpit there is no wing damage or damage to the empennage from impact with the departing winglet or parts thereof and the only wise answer would be to land.
I think empennage damage from a departing wingtip is somewhere between very unlikely and impossible, but I’ll agree that the remaining damage to the wing itself is unknown.