The Frontier Airlines flight involved was F93134, scheduled to travel from Charlotte to LaGuardia Airport in New York. The aircraft, an Airbus A320-251N with the registration number N365FR, had already flown into Charlotte earlier in the day from Philadelphia. After passengers disembarked, crews began preparing the plane for its next journey.
As part of standard pre-departure procedures, external ground support equipment, including an air-conditioning hose, was connected to the aircraft. These hoses help regulate cabin temperature while the plane is parked, ensuring passengers board comfortably without relying solely on onboard systems. However, during the course of ground operations, the powerful suction generated by the aircraft’s CFMI LEAP-1A26 engine reportedly pulled the hose into the intake. Within seconds, the hose was shredded, leaving debris and raising immediate concerns about potential engine damage.
Passengers Face Long Delays
The sudden removal of the aircraft left passengers stranded at the airport while airline staff scrambled to find a solution. Originally expecting a routine flight to LaGuardia, travelers had to wait while Frontier arranged a replacement aircraft. The process of coordinating aircraft availability, reassigning crew, and preparing a new plane for boarding took nearly nine hours.
For passengers, the delay was undoubtedly frustrating, but Frontier Airlines emphasized that safety must come first. Boarding an aircraft with even potential engine damage is never an option, no matter the scheduling inconvenience. Eventually, passengers were rebooked on a substitute aircraft and able to continue their journey to New York.
The Aircraft at the Center of the Incident
The plane involved in the incident was an Airbus A320-251N, part of the popular A320neo family. Tail number N365FR, this specific aircraft entered service in June 2019 and was just under six years old at the time of the occurrence. The Airbus A320neo family is known for its efficiency, reliability, and reduced environmental footprint, largely thanks to its new-generation engines like the CFMI LEAP-1A26.
These engines, while advanced, produce immense suction forces at low power settings, particularly during ground operations. Even seemingly minor ground equipment, such as a flexible air-conditioning hose, can become hazardous if positioned too close to an active engine. For this reason, airlines and ground handling teams implement strict protocols to ensure that support equipment remains at a safe distance whenever engines are running.
Although some early reports mistakenly identified the aircraft as an A321, clarification later confirmed it was indeed an A320. In aviation, precision matters, as accurate details are essential for maintenance records, safety reporting, and regulatory oversight.
