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An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 experienced a bird strike while approaching Havana, Cuba, on May 21, 2025. The incident occurred at approximately 300 feet above ground level and damaged the aircraft's nose landing gear and a hydraulic line. This resulted in difficulties with directional control when exiting the runway. Despite these challenges, the aircraft landed safely without any injuries reported.
The flight, designated as AA 837, was en route from Miami International Airport to Havana Jose Marti International Airport. Due to the damage sustained, the aircraft could not vacate the runway independently and required towing. A replacement aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 registered N339TP, was dispatched to operate the return flight AA 838 back to Miami. This caused a delay of about six hours and forty minutes.
The affected aircraft was grounded for repairs but returned to service on May 26, operating a flight from Havana to Miami. The same plane later had to return to Miami during a subsequent flight to San Antonio for reasons that remain unknown.
