Flight AA-5457 | Registration: N542EA
Date: 3 April 2025 | Location: Enroute to Panama City, diverted to Charlotte, NC (KCLT), USA
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Introduction
On 3 April 2025, a PSA Airlines Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-700, operating as American Airlines flight AA-5457 from Washington National Airport (DCA), DC, to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), FL, experienced an issue with the nose landing gear shortly after departure. The aircraft, registration N542EA, was climbing through approximately 15,000 feet when the crew identified a problem with the nose gear and elected to stop the climb.
Following a holding pattern and assessment, the crew diverted the flight to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), North Carolina, where the aircraft landed safely without further incident approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes after takeoff.
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Flight Details
• Aircraft Type: Bombardier CRJ-700 (CL-600-2C10)
• Engines: 2 × General Electric CF34-8C5B1
• Operator: PSA Airlines on behalf of American Airlines
• Tail Number: N542EA
• Flight Number: AA-5457
• Callsign: ENVOY 5457
• Origin: Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington, DC
• Destination: Northwest Florida Beaches Intl. (ECP), Panama City, FL
• Diversion Airport: Charlotte Douglas Intl. (CLT), North Carolina
• Occupants: Not specified (typical CRJ-700 config approx. 70 seats)
• Phase of Flight: Climb
• Altitude at Diversion Decision: ~15,000 feet
• Time of Diversion: Approx. 09:00 local
• Landing Time: Approx. 11:00 local
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Sequence of Events
Shortly after departure from Washington National (DCA), while climbing through 15,000 feet, the flight crew detected an issue related to the nose landing gear—either via abnormal indications, gear position lights, or system warnings. The crew stopped the climb and entered a holding pattern to diagnose the problem, consult checklists, and communicate with company maintenance control.
After an extended period in the hold, the crew opted to divert the flight to Charlotte (CLT), one of PSA’s key maintenance bases, for a precautionary landing and inspection.
The aircraft landed safely on runway 36C at Charlotte around 11:00 local time. Emergency services were reportedly on standby, but no intervention was required upon landing. There were no injuries, and the aircraft taxied to the apron without assistance.
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FAA and Airline Statements
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident with a public statement:
“American Airlines Flight 5457 landed safely at Charlotte Douglas International Airport around 11 a.m. local time Thursday, April 3, after the crew reported a nose gear issue.”
The airline confirmed that a replacement aircraft was dispatched to resume the journey.
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Aircraft and Operational Status
• Original Aircraft: N542EA remains grounded at CLT approximately 20 hours after landing, pending inspection and possible component replacement or fault isolation testing.
• Passenger Reaccommodation: A replacement CRJ-900 aircraft, registration N571NN, completed the journey to Panama City as the continuation of flight AA-5457.
• Delay: Passengers arrived at ECP with a delay of approximately 8 hours.
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Technical Considerations
Nose gear issues in regional jets like the CRJ-700 can stem from a variety of causes:
• Faulty gear indication sensors
• Incomplete gear retraction
• Hydraulic actuator issues
• Structural anomalies with the gear doors or locking mechanism
As the aircraft landed without difficulty and the gear extended successfully, the issue may have been related to system miscommunication or a non-structural fault. However, until maintenance completes detailed checks—including landing gear position sensors, proximity switches, and hydraulic system diagnostics—the root cause remains unknown.
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Safety and Procedural Response
The crew’s response adhered to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for abnormal gear indications, including:
• Holding at a safe altitude
• Engaging with dispatch and maintenance
• Diverting to an airport with technical support
• Coordinating with ATC and emergency services
This measured approach helped ensure a safe landing with no additional risks posed to passengers or crew.
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Conclusion
This nose gear incident involving PSA Airlines flight AA-5457 highlights the value of established decision-making protocols and operational redundancy. The diversion to Charlotte enabled a safe outcome and access to technical support without further incident. While the root cause remains under FAA investigation, preliminary indications suggest a non-catastrophic fault with the gear system.
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Disclaimer
This report is based on publicly available data and official statements as of 4 April 2025. All information is subject to revision pending the results of ongoing maintenance inspections and regulatory investigation. If you are the rightful owner of any content referenced here and wish to request removal, please contact takedown@cockpitking.com.
