On July 12, an Envoy Air Embraer ERJ-145 had just taken off from Chicago and was en-route to Detriot when the flight deck declared an emergency related to its landing gear. Operating on behalf of American Airlines, flight number AA-3594 had just taken off from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago headed for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Michigan when the incident occurred.
The aircraft registration number N905JH with 43 passengers aboard was climbing out of O’Hare’s runway 09R when the pilots reported a nose gear landing malfunction. The crew stopped the climb at around 5,000 feet and requested a low approach so the gear could be inspected from observers on the ground. At the same time as doing this, they also advised that they would most likely require a tow from the runway to the apron upon landing. Chicago Air Traffic Control told flight AA-3594 to use runway 09L for the low approach and then land on runway 10L.
All three wheels appeared to be down
Following the low approach flyby, both the tower and another aircraft reported that all three wheels appeared to be down after studying the landing gear.
The pilots took the Embraer ERJ-145 back up to 5,000 feet and positioned for a landing on O’Hares runway 10L. The aircraft made a picture-perfect approach landing on 10L some 40 minutes after departure and was towed from the runway to the apron some 15 minutes later.
About the Embraer ERJ-145
The Embraer ERJ-145 is the largest of the Embraer ERJ family of regional jets designed to carry 50 passengers on short-haul intercity flights. Built by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, the ERJ-145 was intended to compete with Bombardier CRJ family of twin-engine regional jets.
Launched at the Paris Airshow in 1989, the ERJ-145 first entered service with Continental Express Airlines in December of 1996. The aircraft proved popular with American commuter airlines and is in service today with ExpressJet, Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, and CommutAir.
About Envoy Air
Envoy Air is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the American Airlines Group, operating under the banner of American Eagle. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Envoy Air is one of the world’s largest regional carriers with hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Miami, New York, and Los Angeles.
Currently, Envoy Air is undergoing a fleet upgrading that will see the arrival of brand-new, two-class 76 seat Embraer E-175s that will offer a spacious experience for passengers connecting to and from larger aircraft. Envoy Air plans to have 84 E175 planes by the end of 2020 but may now be delayed by one aircraft due to the on-going COVID-19 medical emergency.
According to the aviation website, Planespotters.net other aircraft in the Envoy Air fleet include the following:
- 58 Embraer ERJ-135s
- 58 Embraer ERJ-145s
- 83 Embraer ERJ-175s
Some passengers love the ERJ-145 because of its private Learjet like narrowness while others lament the room and overhead luggage space. Love it or hate it, the ERJ- 145 will be around for some time to come, but given a choice, the ERJ-175 would be my preferred option on a short-haul flight.
What do you think about the Embraer ERJ-145? Please let us know in the comments.
