A Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by American Eagle was grounded at Omaha Eppley Airfield after being struck by a lavatory service truck. The incident occurred after Flight 5103 arrived from Philadelphia International Airport. The truck collided with the aircraft while it was parked at the gate, creating a hole in the fuselage just behind the cockpit.
The aircraft, registered as N617NN, is operated by PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. PSA Airlines manages a fleet of 148 CRJ jets, split between the -900 and -700 models. In 2025, the CRJ-900 has experienced several incidents, including a significant accident at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Passengers were still disembarking when the lavatory truck hit the plane. The impact damaged the aircraft’s skin, grounding it for repairs. No injuries were reported among passengers or ground crew. PSA Airlines brought in a replacement aircraft from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, resulting in a delay of more than four hours for departing passengers. Airport operations continued normally otherwise, but authorities have started an investigation into the cause of the accident.
PSA Airlines has had a challenging year. Earlier in 2025, a Bombardier CRJ-700 crashed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. However, the company has recently opened a new pilot and maintenance base in Knoxville and moved its headquarters to Charlotte. According to PSA CEO Dion Flannery: “PSA is on a well-planned growth trajectory that involves more team members flying more aircraft and customers as we continue to expand and enhance our operation.”
PSA serves over 20,000 travelers daily and operates more than 750 flights across the United States, focusing on American Airlines hubs in Charlotte, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. The airline has restored full staffing levels post-pandemic and returned all previously parked aircraft to service. It is also expanding its fleet by adding 14 additional CRJ-900s acquired from Mesa Airlines; these planes are receiving cabin upgrades as they join PSA’s operation.
The CRJ-900 remains a popular regional jet with nearly 500 produced between 2001 and 2021. Despite its reputation for reliability, several notable incidents have occurred in 2025:
– On February 17, Delta Connection Flight 4819 operated by Endeavor Air crashed upon landing in Toronto; there were no fatalities.
– On March 16, another Delta Connection flight struck its wing during landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
– On September 11, a PSA Airlines CRJ-900 lost cabin pressure after takeoff from Washington, DC.
– On October 2, two Delta Connection CRJ-900s collided while taxiing at LaGuardia Airport; both suffered structural damage but no serious injuries occurred.
A separate Delta Connection CRJ-900 that had been struck by an A350-900 in Atlanta last year was fully repaired and has returned to service after extensive work.
