NEW YORK- An American Airlines (AA) regional carrier, Republic Airways (YX), Embraer E175LR operating flight RPA4379 / YX4379 from New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Nashville International Airport (BNA) declared a MAYDAY shortly after takeoff due to an engine failure.
The flight crew reported a problem with engine number two and requested immediate diversion to New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK). The aircraft landed safely following an overweight approach with emergency services on standby.
Photo: American AirlinesAmerican Airlines Flight Diverts to JFK
Flight RPA4379, registration N409YX, departed LaGuardia (LGA) bound for Nashville (BNA) when the crew reported hearing a loud bang. Moments later, the pilots declared an emergency, citing failure of the number two engine.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) immediately cleared the aircraft to divert to Kennedy (JFK). Controllers provided radar vectors, altitude adjustments, and holding options to allow the crew additional time for checklists.
During radio exchanges, the pilots confirmed there were 68 people on board and approximately 13,000 pounds of fuel, enough for about three hours of flight.
As the aircraft neared JFK, the crew advised ATC that they would conduct an overweight landing due to the fuel load. Emergency services positioned near runway 22L ahead of the arrival.
Photo: EmbraerATC and Pilot Coordination
The radio exchanges between ATC and the crew highlight calm but precise communication during the emergency. Key details included:
- The crew’s MAYDAY call and request for vectors to JFK.
- Confirmation of souls on board and available fuel.
- Requests for extra time to complete checklists before the approach.
- A decision was made to conduct a 15-mile final approach for better stability.
- Notification of an overweight landing.
Upon landing, the pilots requested an inspection of the aircraft, citing the earlier loud bang and fuel-heavy landing. The aircraft vacated the runway and held on a taxiway for about 40 minutes while checks were performed.
Safe Outcome
The overweight landing was executed without incident, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew. Emergency responders carried out standard engine and airframe inspections before the aircraft was cleared further.
Republic Airways, based in Indianapolis, operates regional flights within the United States for major carriers. The airline has not released a statement at this time regarding the incident.
Overweight Landings
Commercial aircraft are certified for maximum takeoff and landing weights. When a diversion occurs shortly after departure, an aircraft may still be carrying significant fuel, making it heavier than its maximum landing weight. Pilots must then either burn fuel, dump fuel (if the type allows), or land overweight.
In this case, the Embraer E175 does not have a fuel dump system, meaning the flight crew had no option but to perform an overweight landing. Such landings are typically followed by mandatory inspections to check for structural or brake-related stress.
Photo: Alan Wilson | FlickrATC and Pilots’ Comms
Here’s a detailed transcript of communication between New York JFK ATC and American Airlines’ Republic Airways Pilots as reported by You Can See ATC:
{ts:21}
ATC: 4379, radar contact, maintain 15,000.
ATC (seconds later): 5,000—Brickyard 4379, turn left heading 340, standby.
Pilot: Brickyard 4379, we’ve got an engine issue.
{ts:39}
ATC: Roger, departure. Brickyard 4379.
Pilot: MAYDAY. We’d like vectors to JFK. Engine 2 failure.
{ts:49}
ATC: Brickyard 4379, roger. Maintain 3,000 if you can and you’re cleared to Kennedy—radar vectors.
{ts:59}
Pilot: 3,000, radar vectors for Kennedy, Brickyard 4379.
ATC: Brickyard 4379, when you can: souls on board and fuel?
{ts:68}
ATC: Turn right heading 150, Brickyard 4379.
Pilot: Right 150, Brickyard 4379.
{ts:80}
ATC: Brickyard 4379, I’m bringing you into Kennedy. Let me know if you need extra time.
Right now they’re landing runway 13 left.
Pilot: Yeah, can we get some delay vectors, please?
{ts:96}
ATC: Roger, fly heading 150.
{ts:102}
Pilot: 150 on the heading, Brickyard 4379.
ATC: Brickyard 4379, contact Kennedy approach on 125.7. And if you can relay the information: souls on board and fuel—need that frequency again.
Pilot: 125.7 for Brickyard 4379.
{ts:127}
Pilot: Checking in, number two failure. Standby for souls on board, heading 3,000.
{ts:136}
ATC: Brickyard 4379, let me know if you want some time or want to be vectored in for RNAV X-ray 22 left.
Pilot: Just a little bit of time, Brickyard 4379.
ATC: Approach is RNAV X-ray runway 22 left.
{ts:154}
ATC: I know you’re busy, but if you’d prefer I can also get you the RNAV Zulu to 13 left.
Pilot: We’ll stick with the original plan.
{ts:167}
ATC: Whenever you’re ready for number of souls and fuel/time on board.
Pilot: 68 souls on board, 13,000 lbs of fuel, about 3 hours’ worth.
{ts:183}
ATC: Turn right heading 340, Brickyard 4379.
Pilot: Right 340, Brickyard 4379.
{ts:199}
ATC: Roger, present heading, maintain 3,000.
Pilot: 3,000, present heading.
{ts:211}
Pilot: How long of a final will it be for Brickyard 4379?
ATC: I can back you in as close or as far as you’d like. About 6 miles or 15?
Pilot: We’ll do 15.
{ts:221}
ATC: Roger, fly heading 360.
Pilot: Heading 360, Brickyard 4379.
Pilot: It is going to be an overweight landing for Brickyard 4379.
{ts:231}
ATC: Thanks. Confirm again, the amount of fuel?
Pilot: 13,000 lbs for 4379.
{ts:238}
ATC: Do you expect any issue getting off the runway?
Pilot: Shouldn’t be an issue. But if we could keep up more vectors, we need another checklist.
ATC: Roger, turn right heading 070.
Pilot: Right 070.
{ts:263}
Pilot: Ready for the approach.
ATC: Roger, turn left heading 270.
{ts:274}
ATC: Turn off heading 25. When able, direct traffic is … that’s Charlie Papa India Tango.
Pilot: Charlie Papa India Tango, 4379.
{ts:290}
Pilot: Are we going to intercept here?
ATC: Roger, heading 250 to join the final.
{ts:314}
Pilot: After vacating runway, can we have an inspection? We had a loud bang earlier and we’re overweight.
ATC: Roger.
{ts:333}
ATC: Cleared RNAV X-ray 22 left.
Pilot: Cleared RNAV X-ray 22 left.
{ts:343}
ATC: Contact Kennedy tower 119.1.
Pilot: Tower, Brickyard 4379 emergency aircraft, 22 left X-ray.
{ts:358}
Tower: Brickyard 4379, 150 at 1, runway 22 left, equipment standing by, cleared to land.
Pilot: 22 left, cleared to land, Brickyard 4379.
{ts:365}
Tower: Do you know if you’ll be able to taxi off and clear?
Pilot: Yeah, we’re going to clear the runway. We’d like an inspection of the number two engine for 4379, overweight landing.
{ts:371}
Tower: No problem; if you’re not able, that’s fine. The runway is yours.
{ts:378}
Pilot: If able, like to turn right via Juliet.
{ts:402}
Tower: Do you require further assistance?
Pilot: Right via Juliet, just like the number two engine inspected.
{ts:407}
Tower: Do you feel comfortable pulling up to Yankee, or do you want to stop immediately?
Pilot: We’re just going to pull up right here on Alpha Juliet.
{ts:424}
Tower: Copy, you can stop wherever you’re comfortable and switch to 121.65 for the emergency vehicles there.
Pilot: Stopping here, 121.65.
Bottom Line
The incident demonstrates how structured communication between flight crews and controllers helps manage emergencies safely.
Flight RPA4379’s diversion to JFK ended with a safe landing and precautionary inspections, underscoring the effectiveness of standard aviation emergency procedures.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
American Airlines 777 Pilots Requests Police Upon Landing at New York JFK
The post American Airlines Flight with E175 Makes Emergency Landing at New York JFK appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
