Delta A321 Suffers Tail Strike Landing at LaGuardia Airport

Delta A321 Suffers Tail Strike Landing at LaGuardia Airport

NEW YORK — July 14, 2026

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A321-211, registration N382DN, sustained substantial damage after suffering a tail strike during landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Tuesday. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.

The aircraft was operating as Delta flight DAL1181, arriving from Fort Lauderdale International Airport, when the rear of the fuselage contacted runway 22 during touchdown, according to data from the Aviation Safety Network. Preliminary reports describe the damage as scrapes and dents to the aircraft's underside.

The aircraft was subsequently removed from service for a detailed structural integrity assessment.

Investigation and Response

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) typically oversee investigations involving substantial aircraft damage. Official statements regarding the specific cause of the tail strike have not yet been released, and Delta Air Lines has not issued a formal public statement regarding the incident.

Authorities have not yet disclosed specific flight conditions — such as approach speed, pitch attitude, or wind factors — at the time of landing. Tail strikes can result from a high nose-up attitude on landing or flare, and typically require detailed inspection of the aircraft's tail section and structural frames before the plane can return to service.

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This is a developing story. Aviator News Network will update as additional information becomes available. Source: Aviation Safety Network