[4] Due to the short runway at Trenton-Mercer Airport, the airline served Philadelphia for a short time, but consolidated its flights back to Trenton, New Jersey, in early 1999 when Delta Air Lines terminated their contract to handle ground services.

By 1999, the airline was in dire straits, facing some performance concerns as well as severe financial trouble.

Service issues created tension with its customers, resulting in large numbers of complaints filed with the FAA.

[8] On June 9, 1996, Eastwind Airlines Flight 517, a Boeing 737-2H5 experienced a reported loss of rudder control while on approach to Richmond from Trenton.

On approach the crew experienced unexpected movement of the rudder causing the airplane rolling to the right.