American Airlines Flight RPA9946 from Columbia Diverted to Nashville

A regional domestic passenger service has recorded an unscheduled course change, with flight tracking logs confirming an American Airlines flight RPA9946 route diversion to Nashville.

[Columbia, July 30, 2026] — An unscheduled route change disrupted American Airlines flight RPA9946 on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, when the flight crew diverted the regional jet to Tennessee. The flight, operated by Republic Airways on behalf of American Eagle, utilized an Embraer E175LR regional passenger jet, departing Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina bound for St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) in Missouri. Instead of completing the flight directly to St. Louis, the aircraft diverted to Nashville International Airport (BNA), landing safely.

The aircraft, registered under FAA tail number N422YX, departed Columbia at 4:32 PM Eastern Time, approximately one hour and 20 minutes behind its scheduled departure time of 3:12 PM. The flight crew executed the diversion systematically, landing at Nashville at 4:02 PM Central Time. Neither the airline nor local aviation authorities have confirmed the operational cause of the route change.

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Key Facts Breakdown

• Flight Operator: Operated by Republic Airways under the American Eagle regional brand name.
• Aircraft Model: Embraer E175LR, registered under tail number N422YX (carrier classification E75L).
• Departure Delay: Left Columbia at 4:32 PM Eastern Time, running one hour and 20 minutes behind the scheduled 3:12 PM departure.
• Diversion Landing: Landed safely at Nashville International Airport (BNA) at 4:02 PM Central Time.
• Operational Outcome: Flight logs confirm the diversion but do not indicate an emergency declaration, mechanical failure, or medical alert.

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Evaluating the Time Zone Crossing and Flight Logs

The flight logs record a scheduled St. Louis arrival of 4:02 PM Central Time and also show a 4:02 PM Central Time arrival at the Nashville diversion point. This can create confusion for travelers reviewing flight data, as it suggests the flight landed before its 4:32 PM Eastern Time departure in Columbia.

The difference is explained by the time zone boundary crossing. Columbia, South Carolina, observes Eastern Time, while Nashville and St. Louis observe Central Time, representing a one-hour difference. The departure time of 4:32 PM ET is equivalent to 3:32 PM CT. The subsequent landing at Nashville at 4:02 PM CT represents an elapsed flight duration of approximately 30 minutes, which is typical for a short regional diversion.

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Operating Embraer E175LR Jets on Regional Networks

The Embraer E175LR is a modern twin-engine regional jet configured to carry up to 76 passengers in a dual-class cabin layout. Its performance range and runway capabilities allow regional carriers like Republic Airways to connect secondary markets with major airline hubs.

When a flight is diverted, dispatchers prioritize regional hub airports that feature established ground support. Nashville International Airport provides the necessary maintenance teams, gate crews, and terminal facilities to handle Embraer regional fleets, allowing the airline to manage the situation safely.

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The table below outlines the flight parameters and tracking logs:

American Airlines Flight RPA9946 Operations and Tracking Parameters (July 28, 2026)

Flight Parameter	Reporting Value	Operational Detail	Primary Source
Flight Number	RPA9946 / AA9946	Scheduled regional commercial service	Flight tracking database
Operating Carrier	Republic Airways (American Eagle)	Regional contract operator	FAA registry
Aircraft Model	Embraer E175LR (E75L)	Twin-engine regional passenger jet	FAA registry
Registration (Tail)	N422YX	Active regional fleet inventory	FlightAware log
Departure Airport	Columbia Metropolitan (CAE)	Departed at 4:32 PM Eastern Time	Airport terminal log
Scheduled Destination	St. Louis Lambert (STL)	Diverted during cruise phase	ATC flight plan
Diversion Airport	Nashville International (BNA)	Arrived at 4:02 PM Central Time	Airport ground operations
Status	Safe landing	Precautionary operational diversion	Station log

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Why This Matters

For travelers on this route, the real impact is the logistical delay when regional flights are diverted to intermediate cities. Because regional flights operate on tight aircraft rotation schedules, a diversion can disrupt downstream flights, causing delays for passengers booked on later departures using the same aircraft.

From a logistical perspective, this means that passengers connecting to international services at major hubs must monitor their delay timelines closely. Since Nashville and St. Louis are separated by significant driving distances, travelers with urgent commitments occasionally choose to secure rental cars or regional bus transfers rather than waiting for a replacement aircraft swap.

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Industry Outlook

Our analysis of the route map suggests that regional airlines will rely on larger regional alternates like Nashville to absorb irregular operations. Rerouting regional jets to small airports that lack dedicated ground staff can strand passengers for hours, whereas landing at a major airport like BNA allows the airline to coordinate rebookings quickly.

Furthermore, market trends suggest that operators will continue to prioritize modern regional jets like the Embraer E175LR over older turboprops. The speed, range, and cabin comfort of the E175 give dispatchers more routing options when navigating summer storms, reducing the frequency of cancellations.

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