A PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N709PS performing flight AA-5320 from Charlotte,NC to Gulfport,MS (USA) with 44 passengers and 4 crew, departed Charlotte's runway 36C at 11:42L (16:42Z) and was in the initial climb when the crew reported they had heard a loud bang. The aircraft stopped the climb at 4000 feet. A runway inspection found a dead deer on the runway, the aircraft positioned for a low approach to runway 36R to have the gear inspected from the ground. Tower reported seeing all three gear in position, it appeared there was vapor coming off the right hand side. Another pilot reported the right hand engine appeared to be leaking. Emergency services readied for intervention. The aircraft climbed to 4000 feet, the crew advised they were planning to vacate the runway normally but would stop and evacuate if there was any observation of leaking fuel. The aircraft positioned for a full stop landing on runway 36R about 10 minutes after the low approach and 30 minutes after departure, vacated the runway via high speed turn off R, stopped after the hold short line and evacuated. Emergency services closed the runway and foamed the aircraft reporting a lot of fuel on the runway. The occupants exited the aircraft rapidly via the onboard stairs and were bussed to the terminal, there were no injuries. The aircraft sustained damage to the leading edge of the right hand wing.
The FAA reported the aircraft returned after an obvious deer strike. There was a fuel leak prompting the fire crews to foam the aircraft.
The airline reported all passengers on board evacuated safely and were taken to the terminal.
On May 22nd 2020 the NTSB announced they are investigating the occurrence still rated an "occurrence" (not rated incident, serious incident or accident). The NTSB wrote in their preliminary report: "NTSB investigators will use data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator, and will not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report."
On Jul 10th 2020 the NTSB released their final report into the occurrence now rated an accident concluding the probable cause of the accident was:
collision with a deer during takeoff.
The NTSB reported: "According to the operator, the airplane struck a deer with its right wing during the takeoff roll. The crew continued the takeoff and declared an emergency. Before returning to land, the flight crew conducted a low pass down runway 36R, for the airport rescue and firefighting (ARFF) to inspect the damage. ARFF observed damage to the right wing and reported vapor coming from it. After landing on runway 36R, the flight crew elected to stop on the taxiway due to the fuel leak, where passengers were evacuated and bused them to the terminal. Post flight examination of the wing found damage substantial damage to the leading edge slats, slat tracks, flaps, and front spar of the right wing."
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/JIA5320/history/20170215/1619Z/KCLT/KGPT
Ground observer video of landing (Video: VIRAL MAZA):
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0C7w7m8dxc |