An American Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration N114NN performing flight AA-300 from New York JFK,NY to Los Angeles,CA (USA) with 101 passengers and 8 crew, departed JFK’s runway 31L when the aircraft veered left causing the left wing tip to collide with a runway sign.

The aircraft climbed out, at FL200 the crew decided to stop the climb and return to JFK advising ATC that they had encountered a strong roll to the left during departure and wanted to return to JFK. The aircraft returned to JFK for a safe landing on runway 04L about 27 minutes after departure.

The leading edge near the left wing tip showed two large dents.

A replacement Airbus A321-200 registration N113AN departed JFK for Los Angeles with a delay of about 13 hours. The airport authority reported the aircraft was slightly off the center line causing the aircraft to hit a sign adjacent to the runway.

In the afternoon the FAA reported: “AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 300 AIRBUS 321 STRUCK RUNWAY SIGN AND AIRPORT LIGHT“. The FAA reported no injuries and unknown damage to the aircraft.