A Delta Airbus A319 flying route DL1076 from West Palm Beach to New York LaGuardia was forced to divert to JFK, following a possible bird strike incident late Monday afternoon.
The flight landed safely and without incident to any of the plane’s 43 passengers or crew, though the plane’s nose cone was crushed inwards upon impact.
Though no one was injured, passengers onboard the aircraft told local and national media that the resulting turbulence was extreme.
.@Delta flight 1076 from West Palm Beach to LGA diverted to JFK after a bird strike damaged the nose cone. 43 passengers were aboard. The flight landed safely and without incident. pic.twitter.com/WlNXn6atOY
— Aaron Katersky (@AaronKatersky) July 7, 2020
Early communication from the Delta pilots onboard suggested that the damage to the plane’s nose cone resulted from a bird strike, though subsequent reports have laid the blame on inclement weather.
WEATHER- NYC HAIL STRIKE DAMAGES PLANE- STILLS/NAT TUE0136-Delta Air Lines Flight 1076 landed safely at JFK International Airport Monday after reporting a problem with navigation equipment. The flight departed Palm Beach, FL and was enroute to LaGuardia Airport when it diverted. pic.twitter.com/EOYUyarSpX
— CBS Newspath (@cbsnewspath) July 7, 2020
Delta management has remained tight-lipped about the incident, with spokeswoman Maria Moraitakis stating the flight was diverted “out of an abundance of caution following a mechanical issue”.
On Tuesday, the airline confirmed damage to the nose cone but did not release images. Photos were initially posted to social media by ABC News transport correspondent Gio Benitez, which have since gone viral.
US National Weather Service (NSW) data shows that northern New Jersey and New York were subject to “hazardous weather conditions” around the time of the incident and into early evening.
Local NSW lead John Murray said that one warning for the area predicted “ping-pong ball-sized” hail coupled with wind gusts exceeding 100km/h.
“It’s just hard to pinpoint the entire extent of the hail because we are relying on spotters and photographs,” Murray added.
The FAA is investigating the incident.
