This is a strange story on a couple of levels…
In this post:
American A321neo makes VERY hard landing in Hawaii
This incident happened on Saturday, January 27, 2024, and involves American Airlines flight AA271 from Los Angeles (LAX) to Maui (OGG). The flight was operated by a roughly three-year-old Airbus A321neo with the registration code N416AN, and it was carrying 167 passengers and seven crew members.
The flight was operating a bit behind schedule, as it left Los Angeles nearly 90 minutes late, arriving in Maui nearly 80 minutes late. However, that wasn’t a big deal compared to what happened upon landing.
The aircraft reportedly had such a hard landing that six people were treated for injuries, including five flight attendants and one passenger. Fortunately the injuries weren’t serious, and all six people were released later in the day.
American has acknowledged that the aircraft “experienced an issue upon landing,” and that it “taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally.”
Following the incident, the aircraft was taken out of service for a hard landing inspection. The aircraft was supposed to return to Los Angeles as flight AA212, but that flight ended up getting canceled. The following morning, the aircraft is still on the ground in Maui.
Two thoughts about this hard landing story
Hard landings — even ones with injuries — happen. It’s unfortunate, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now investigating this incident, and I’m sure we’ll find out the cause. What I find the strangest about this story, though, is that five of the six injuries were among flight attendants.
In theory, flight attendants should be best positioned for a rough landing, as they’re strapped in much tighter (with a harness) than just the average passenger with a seatbelt.
So I can’t help but wonder why they were the ones who primarily suffered injuries, while passengers didn’t? Does this relate to how flight attendant jump seats face backwards, and somehow that impacts the g-forces during a hard landing in a negative way?
Also, I’m exhausted about how the first response to basically every aviation story is to blame it on DEI. I mean, my gosh, with absolutely no information, that’s the conclusion we come to? While we’ve certainly had some incidents recently, aviation is as safe as it has ever been in terms of fatalities per number of people traveling.
Look, I’m not here to argue the merit of DEI, because that’s exhausting, especially on the internet. But are we simply going to assume that every single aviation incident is due to DEI? How are we going to justify all of the accidents that happened for decades, at a time when there was even less diversity in the cockpit? Are we going to argue that the white dude who tried to turn off the engines of a Horizon Air jet last year was also hired due to DEI? Or what are we going to blame that on?
It’s sad the extent to which reality just doesn’t matter to people anymore. “Well, someone made a mistake, let’s immediately assume it wasn’t a white guy, because they never screw up.”
Bottom line
An American Airlines Airbus A321neo had such a hard landing in Maui that six people were injured, including five flight attendants. The return flight ended up being canceled. I’m curious to see if this is just because the plane needs to be inspected, or if there’s some structural damage beyond that.
While most of us have probably experienced a landing that felt hard, it’s next level when flight attendants are injured as a result of it…
What’s your take on this American Airlines Maui landing incident?
Not sure where people are getting their information blaming DEI. We were at the gate at OGG on Maui waiting to board the return flight to LAX on this plane. We watched all the emergency workers go on the plane and watched them take off all the injured people. We also watched the pilots exit the plane. The only non-Caucasian people I saw were the locals- EMTS, firefighters and police. All airline employees appeared to...
Not sure where people are getting their information blaming DEI. We were at the gate at OGG on Maui waiting to board the return flight to LAX on this plane. We watched all the emergency workers go on the plane and watched them take off all the injured people. We also watched the pilots exit the plane. The only non-Caucasian people I saw were the locals- EMTS, firefighters and police. All airline employees appeared to be white. It’s infuriating that these kinds of assumptions are made without information.
White men making a mistake are lone wolves, everyone else are due to DEI.
Digital notmad is just as ignorant as those blaming this on DEI with absolutely no evidence.
Exactly mate...
Why is (DEI) Denis Island Airport, an airstrip serving Denis Island in the Seychelles, being blamed for this?
It would be just as relevant...
I am a flight attendant. Obviously this is a great concern for me so I have read multiple articles on this particular story.
I’m surprised that this is the first article I read where DEI is being discussed as an issue. No one else is talking about it.
I can tell you why the flight attendants were injured. Despite being well strapped in the jump seats are very hard with very little cushion....
I am a flight attendant. Obviously this is a great concern for me so I have read multiple articles on this particular story.
I’m surprised that this is the first article I read where DEI is being discussed as an issue. No one else is talking about it.
I can tell you why the flight attendants were injured. Despite being well strapped in the jump seats are very hard with very little cushion. Passengers and especially the pilots have way more cushioning than flight attendants. I belive that’s why they were injured.
As you know, DEI accusations are flat-out racism. Why, Ben, are you giving them any air to breathe?
When you resort to the failed trope of racism, it just proves that you have zero counter argument. Do better, Pez. You are intellectually lazy. Critical thinking skills matter.
The DEI crew just cracks me up. Virtue signaling at its finest.
Real life example. You or your family member needs surgery. Life or death. Tell me again how much you value (starts with "D" and ends with "I") over actual surgical skill and merit and medical school ranking.
Waiting. Waiting. What's that? Oh, it's different when it's YOUR family member?
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WillM Member
January 28, 2024, 10:20 pm
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James Guest
January 29, 2024, 7:53 am
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Prove Me Wrong (You Can't) Guest
January 29, 2024, 11:15 am
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James Guest
January 29, 2024, 1:01 pm
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3 more repliesSo DEI and 'actual skills' are mutually exclusive? Tell us more bright boy. Let's hear those FOX learned critical thinking skills in action.
Real life example: anyone who is a surgeon has passed all the exams at medical school and so has the skills to be a surgeon, whatever background they may have come from. No one gets plucked off the street to be a surgeon with no training cos DEI. So yeah I’d be fine with a surgeon doing surgery on me.
@WillM and James
It's already happening in aviation. Wake up. And medical schools are jumping on board as well. Don't believe me?
The Federal Aviation Administration is actively recruiting workers who suffer “severe intellectual” disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website.
“Targeted disabilities are those disabilities that the Federal government, as a matter of policy, has identified for...
@WillM and James
It's already happening in aviation. Wake up. And medical schools are jumping on board as well. Don't believe me?
The Federal Aviation Administration is actively recruiting workers who suffer “severe intellectual” disabilities, psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website.
“Targeted disabilities are those disabilities that the Federal government, as a matter of policy, has identified for special emphasis in recruitment and hiring,” the FAA’s website states. “They include hearing, vision, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability and dwarfism.”
The initiative is part of the FAA’s “Diversity and Inclusion” hiring plan, which claims “diversity is integral to achieving FAA’s mission of ensuring safe and efficient travel across our nation and beyond.”
Give me strength from anyone who says "wake up".
Please explain to me what the issue is with hiring people who have disabilities so long as they are able to complete the job?
And you'll note that the same article you have quoted from says all people who are hired "must meet rigorous qualifications that of course will vary by position". So, yeah, they have to be able to do the job they are...
Give me strength from anyone who says "wake up".
Please explain to me what the issue is with hiring people who have disabilities so long as they are able to complete the job?
And you'll note that the same article you have quoted from says all people who are hired "must meet rigorous qualifications that of course will vary by position". So, yeah, they have to be able to do the job they are applying for.
And apparently the FAA hiring practices have been in place for more than a decade.
Please direct me to any information on surgeons who are operating on people who have not passed their surgery exams? Or NTSB reports that have blamed diversity for any incidents?
This evening's NBC newscast reports that the injured persons were 5 passengers and one FA. That would make more sense than the reverse.
Ben, you are a troll!
lol, well he certainly insists on feeding them! smh
How about Diversity, Inclusion and Equity
Or D.I.E. for short.
My guess is that AA is really strict on injury reporting and if your state of hire is Texas that likely gives even more latitude to be aggressive in claims handling.
Say what you please about DEI, but apparently it unnecessarily shakes the confidence in air travel. I also dont want to fly on a plane where the cockpit crew got their seat because of their genetic properties and not skill and skill alone.
Please tell me which pilots got their seat in the cockpit because of their “genetic properties” alone? Do you seriously, genuinely think airlines are letting people with no skills fly plans because of their skin colour? It’s ridiculous fear mongering with no basis in fact. Find me the NTSB reports which say DEI caused a plane to crash.
Specific to the hard landing itself and ignoring the DEI nonsense, part of the reason that FAs at the rear of the aircraft could have been thrown around more than passengers in the cabin is because the rear of a long aircraft travels a greater vertical distance than a place just over the wheels and wings.
Since all or nearly all of the FAs reported being injured, there is likely some sympathy injuries. at...
Specific to the hard landing itself and ignoring the DEI nonsense, part of the reason that FAs at the rear of the aircraft could have been thrown around more than passengers in the cabin is because the rear of a long aircraft travels a greater vertical distance than a place just over the wheels and wings.
Since all or nearly all of the FAs reported being injured, there is likely some sympathy injuries. at least one of the jumpseats was over the wing which produces the least turbulence and often the least amount of distance in a hard landing -but FA jumpseats are not well padded so it is possible that FAs in any position on the plane experienced more force than a passenger seat in the same area of the plane.
Hopefully the NTSB will investigate and whatever caused the problem can be a learning moment for airlines.
And hopefully the hospitalized people all recovery quickly.
It doesn’t surprise me at all that F/A’s were injured. I’m a retired F/A with one of the big 3 US carriers. I have personally been involved in hard landings, as was described above, wind-shears, roto wind shears, those are the worst, etc. Even though we were tightly secured to the jump seat. Once we experienced the event, I was literally thrown every which way off the jump seat like a rag doll. Don’t underestimate...
It doesn’t surprise me at all that F/A’s were injured. I’m a retired F/A with one of the big 3 US carriers. I have personally been involved in hard landings, as was described above, wind-shears, roto wind shears, those are the worst, etc. Even though we were tightly secured to the jump seat. Once we experienced the event, I was literally thrown every which way off the jump seat like a rag doll. Don’t underestimate the effects of G force. It’s quite possible they experienced an unexpected wind shear.
I'll be blunt: I grew up in Dixie in the 60's, "DEI" is the modern word for "Segregation Forever."
I'll be blunt: "I grew up in Dixie in the 60's" probably conveys the exact opposite of what you're intending when trying to make a point about marginalized demographics in the workforce.
Interesting article and contrary to the writer writing out what abbreviations mean (FAA, e.g.), why was the most obscure one, “DEI” not given descriptor for those of us aviation enthusiasts that have not come across that term in 50 years.
Ben, you shouldn't have included the DEI part.
Now this comment section is flooding with the ret**ded people who's been looking for their chance to propagate their delusional political ideologies.
To those people, if you can't let others have an opinion, they why don't go to North Korea where the state decides what you should only think about? I absloutely think it's a great deal.
Silence is Death! ;-)
We don't know if DEI has anything to do with this incident, but we also don't know if DEI has nothing to do with it. Why can't we just ignore race, gender, etc. focusing simply on merits and competence?
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James Guest
January 28, 2024, 12:46 pm
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Al C Guest
January 28, 2024, 3:04 pm
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1 more replyWe don’t know a lot of things had nothing to do with this incident, but we don’t start blaming them instantly an accident happens. I’d like to see the stats from the NTSB on how many plane accidents were caused by “diversity”. I’m guessing it’s barely any to none, so why is it always focused on? In my view DEI isn’t supposed to ignore merit or competence; it’s to ensure underrepresented groups aren’t simply overlooked...
We don’t know a lot of things had nothing to do with this incident, but we don’t start blaming them instantly an accident happens. I’d like to see the stats from the NTSB on how many plane accidents were caused by “diversity”. I’m guessing it’s barely any to none, so why is it always focused on? In my view DEI isn’t supposed to ignore merit or competence; it’s to ensure underrepresented groups aren’t simply overlooked so don’t get the chance to have their merit and competence judged.
You clearly don't understand DEI. E stands for Equity. In DEI, "Equity" means equal outcomes. Not equal opportunity. Equal outcomes means you need (substitute favored minority status) people in equal proportion in all high level positions period. Regardless of merit, experience, competence, interest or whatever, if you do you not have equal outcomes, its because your organization is (substitute favored minority status)-ist (or -phobia) and it needs to be fixed.
Women should not be flying planes, period. There's a reason female car insurance policies cost more than men. They are more prone to accidents and distractions. Same goes for surgeons.
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James Guest
January 28, 2024, 12:25 pm
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Kelley P Diamond
January 28, 2024, 5:43 pm
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Points and Miles Doc Guest
January 28, 2024, 6:33 pm
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Alan Guest
January 29, 2024, 7:08 pm
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3 more repliesDo shush.
Are you kidding? Insurance for men is actually MORE than the premiums for women.
This isn't even true, regarding policies or surgeons.
Women surgeons have better outcomes than men:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37647075/
Women surgeons have lower healthcare costs for their patients than men:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38019486/
All published in JAMA Surgery last year ...
And my car insurance has always been cheaper than a guy.
Eh? They women's policies cost less!
inflight just wanting a contract
What on earth is DEI? Your article doesn't explain and neither does the Tweet. I've never heard of it before in Europe - sounds like something irrelevant but not sure!
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Santos Guest
January 28, 2024, 11:26 am
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Alan Guest
January 29, 2024, 7:07 pm
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Nathalie Savoie Guest
January 28, 2024, 12:40 pm
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Alan Guest
January 29, 2024, 7:10 pm
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3 more repliesIf only the internet had some kind of site that you could input a word or phrase and learn more about it! God, we can only pray one day for some sort of search catalyst machine system.
You obviously didn't get the subtext that this isn't a common term outside the USA - certainly not with the overtones and connotation that is brought up in the comments. Ben should have explained this more.
It stands for Diversity Equity Inclusion.
Thanks, Natalie. I've only ever heard it called EDI (equality, diversity, inclusivity) on this side of the pond, first time I've seen DEI used! It sounds like it is weaponised much more as a term in the USA, here it's just a routine part of any company or workplace.
Lots of things that contribute to this being 5 FA’s injured. FA Jumpseats are basically a piece of metal with a layer of fabric on it. Not much there to cushion a hard landing. FA’s also know that if they don’t speak up ASAP, AA will not take care of their injury in the future. Likely more pax will be feeling sore in the next few days, but only the one who immediately spoke up will have a case with AA.
Conservatives/evangelicals spin up conspiracy theories about DEI because they're looking for a pretext under which to express their preexisting bigotries. It's best to simply note that fact and not engage with their "argument," such as it is, on its own terms; engaging with it simply isn't productive because it was always plain old racist subterfuge and not a good faith belief of any sort.
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TosaJoe Guest
January 28, 2024, 11:39 am
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digital_notmad Diamond
January 28, 2024, 12:00 pm
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JP Guest
January 28, 2024, 12:47 pm
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Bill n DC Diamond
January 28, 2024, 5:47 pm
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Kendall Guest
January 28, 2024, 12:01 pm
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Mason Guest
January 29, 2024, 2:09 am
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5 more repliesWhy phrase your comment the way you did? It is just as inappropriate, inaccurate, and demeaning as the original comment blaming DEI. It only serves to degrade a specific group of people based solely on your biases against them. Think next time before you post!
Nothing I wrote is inaccurate; and it is never inappropriate to be demeaning to bigots.
@digital_notmad
Just because they're not wrong doesn't mean that you're allowed to do anything to them.
You're only confirming that you're just like them - the ones you hate the most for no logical reason. So thank you for confirming it!
There's a problem with your use of the word 'biases' which relates to the word 'prejudiced' which are formed without just grounds or before sufficent knowledge. I don't believe there was intention to 'degrade' in just poiting out falicilies and harmful beliefs #SnowFlake
Don't be divisive. It's not about racism, it's simply about competence. If you work in aviation, I don't care what race you are, all I care is that you're qualified to do the job. Diversity quotas exist (with arguably good intentions), but they're certainly being prioritized over merit (i.e safety) in many instances, so downplaying it as a conspiracy theory is disingenuous. However, I will say that it's moronic to jump to conclusions before the...
Don't be divisive. It's not about racism, it's simply about competence. If you work in aviation, I don't care what race you are, all I care is that you're qualified to do the job. Diversity quotas exist (with arguably good intentions), but they're certainly being prioritized over merit (i.e safety) in many instances, so downplaying it as a conspiracy theory is disingenuous. However, I will say that it's moronic to jump to conclusions before the investigation is complete.
And that's why it's fair to discriminate white people in college/job applications to achieve diversity, equity and inclusion, just because they're the majority? That sounds as racist as what was happening before the 1960s.
It doesn't even benefit all the minorities - it's focused on the races "they" prioritize, resulting less chances to the races not prioritized, like Asians. And you call it "diversity" and "inclusion?"
Yes, we must take care of the...
And that's why it's fair to discriminate white people in college/job applications to achieve diversity, equity and inclusion, just because they're the majority? That sounds as racist as what was happening before the 1960s.
It doesn't even benefit all the minorities - it's focused on the races "they" prioritize, resulting less chances to the races not prioritized, like Asians. And you call it "diversity" and "inclusion?"
Yes, we must take care of the minorities as well, but no, it's not achieved by just discriminating the majority. It's just a racism that you people consider as a sin. Is it justified if you do it, while it's not if someone else (your oppositions, to be accurate) does it?
Typical liberal double standards.
I'm imagining that all the FA's are reporting injuries just in case their is merit to sue in the near term future. Just like when you get in a car accident, you call the cops to file a police report. Gotta cover all the bases.
If a few days from now they get out of bed with a stiff neck or back, they can point to this incident. May be "apart of the job description" but it's worth a shot imo.
How strapped in were the FAs ? Were the belt buckles fit tight and low ?
Does AA even have 5 flight attendants working on the 321? Was one just a jumpseat rider?
Yes. Hawai’i sometimes gets 5 FAs if the trip is built with no overnight on the island.
Grow up Ben! You picked one stupid comment from the internet to bring the DEI story. Give me a break.
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James Guest
January 28, 2024, 11:36 am
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James Guest
January 28, 2024, 11:41 am
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1 more replyDiversity equity and inclusion. It’s an attempt by companies to ensure the workforce better reflects the population. So for an airline it might mean offering scholarships to enable people from poorer backgrounds to at least have a route to becoming a pilot if they’re good enough. But it’s become part of the culture wars and so grifters online suggest that basically a black person was plucked off the street and with no training put in...
Diversity equity and inclusion. It’s an attempt by companies to ensure the workforce better reflects the population. So for an airline it might mean offering scholarships to enable people from poorer backgrounds to at least have a route to becoming a pilot if they’re good enough. But it’s become part of the culture wars and so grifters online suggest that basically a black person was plucked off the street and with no training put in a cockpit. And some people either actually believe that or they say they do because they’re massively aggrieved and prejudiced.
One comment? That tweet has numerous DEI comments - all unfounded - and it’s a constant refrain whenever the slightest airline mishap happens.
LOL… Nobody but internet trolls Living in their mothers basement, thinks it’s because of DEI.
What could be a factor though is, that after Covid a lot of experience, has left the flightdecks, but i’m wildly speculating now.
Probably there is just as many incidents, on average as there has ever been, but they are reported more because of SoMe and what not
You don’t need to even respond to DEI comments! That’s the equivalent of saying ‘fake news’ when something doesn’t mesh with certain agendas. You are providing news & updates and true investigations will bear out the actual causes!
I wonder if the injuries was really industrial action (labor dispute)?
But in this case, it makes sense about the DEI. The Native Hawaiians can't do anything right, most likely their fault. If it was a normal American, would have been fine.