Alaska Airlines Repairs Embraer E175 After Tire Blows Out and Damages Electrical Equipment in Eugene, Oregon

Passengers on Alaska Airlines flight AS3352 experienced a tense moment when the aircraft, operated by SkyWest Airlines, was forced to perform a go-around due to an unsafe gear indication. The flight, which departed from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) en route to Eugene, Oregon (EUG), was an Embraer ERJ-175. The incident occurred when the plane was descending through the clouds to 1,300 feet mean sea level, prompting the pilot to initiate the go-around as the crew worked through safety checklists. The plane landed safely 20 minutes later, with no injuries reported.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the aircraft suffered a blown tire, which caused damage to electrical wires and paneling associated with the landing gear.

Details of Flight AS3352

On Tuesday, July 2nd, SkyWest flight AS3352 was scheduled to depart Los Angeles at 08:26 but left the gate at 08:37 after a brief delay. The Embraer ERJ-175 ascended to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet, passing over Fresno and the Sierra Nevada mountain range before beginning its descent into Oregon. As the aircraft descended to 1,300 feet, the pilot initiated a go-around due to the unsafe gear indication, ascending to 3,700 feet before attempting another approach. The flight landed safely on runway 34L at 10:45 local time.

Embraer ERJ-175: N199SY

The Embraer ERJ-175 involved, a 6.1-year-old aircraft operated by SkyWest, entered commercial service on June 2, 2018. Configured with 16 business and 64 economy class seats, the plane is powered by two General Electric CF34-8E engines. During its testing with Embraer, it held the Brazilian registration PR-ENY.

After the incident, the aircraft remained in Eugene for immediate inspection and did not depart until July 4th. It then flew to San Francisco as flight AS9794 for further inspection before returning to regular service on July 5th. Since the incident, no additional issues have been reported with the aircraft.

Impact and Resolution

This incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the quick response by the flight crew, ensuring the safety of all passengers on board. The successful handling of the emergency and subsequent repairs highlight the efficiency and reliability of Alaska Airlines and SkyWest’s maintenance teams.