American Airlines A319-100 Diverts to Washington Dulles After Engine Failure

An American Airlines Airbus A319-100 arriving in Washington National, DC diverted to Washington Dulles after reporting an engine failure on approach on 31 October.

An American Airlines Airbus A319-100 arriving in Washington National, DC diverted to Washington Dulles Airport after reporting an engine failure on approach on 31 October 2024.

American Airlines flight AA1539, an Airbus A319-100 was arriving from Boston Logan International Airport. The flight was given clearance to land on runway 19 Washington National Airport (DCA).

American Airlines AA1539 Boston-Washington

Flight track of American Airlines AA1539 showing diversion to Washington Dulles.

During the final approach leg, flight crew advised ATC that they had experienced a right-hand engine failure. A missed approach procedure was initiated from a position on short final.

Following the go around, flight crew requested a diversion to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The operating it crew advised that the engine failure may have been the result of a bird strike during the approach.

The flight subsequently landed without further incident on runway 19L Washington Dulles International Airport, approximately 20 minutes after conducting the missed approach.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report confirmed the approach incident.

“American Airlines Flight 1539 landed safely at Dulles International Airport in Virginia around 8:40 a.m. local time on Thursday, Oct. 31, after the crew reported a bird strike. The Airbus 319 departed from Boston Logan International Airport and was heading to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA will investigate.”

Flight Details

Flight data shows that the flight AA1539 had made an on-time departure out of Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) at 0711 local time on 31 October.

The flight had then proceeded normally, climbing to flight level FL320 for the south-easterly routes to Washington, DC.

Following its arrival at Washington National Airport, flight crew initiated the missed approach at approximately 300 feet. A direct track to the alternate Washington Dulles International Airport was then initiated.

The aircraft conducting the AA1539 service from Boston was an Airbus A319-100, registered N814AW. This is a 24.3-year-old narrowbody aircraft belonging to the carrier American Airlines. It has been operational service with the airline since December 2013.