Two Delta Air Lines regional jets collided at low speeds on Wednesday night while taxiing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The incident involved Delta Connection flights operated by Endeavor Air, according to the airline.
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What Happened at LaGuardia?
The collision occurred around 9:56 p.m. when Endeavor flight 5155 was taxiing for departure and its right wing clipped the nose and fuselage of Endeavor flight 5047, which had just arrived and was heading to its gate.
In air traffic control audio, one of the pilots reported:
“Their right wing clipped our nose and the cockpit. We have damage to our windscreen and some of our screens in here.”
A Delta spokesperson confirmed that while there was visible aircraft damage, no passengers were seriously injured.
Injuries and Passenger Experience
One flight attendant sustained a minor injury and was transported to a nearby hospital for precautionary checks.
Passenger Nate Cicero, who was onboard one of the jets, described the moment:
“It wasn’t too big of a hit for us, but for passengers on the other plane, especially those on the window side, it could have been a big shock. Our pilot’s window was shattered.”
Impact on Operations
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said there was no impact on overall airport operations. Delta also assured travelers that teams were working to accommodate affected passengers.
In a statement, Delta said:
“Delta teams at our New York-LaGuardia hub are working to ensure our customers are taken care of after two Delta Connection aircraft operated by Endeavor Air were involved in a low-speed collision during taxi. Delta will work with all relevant authorities to review what occurred as safety of our customers and people comes before all else. We apologize to our customers for the experience.”
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the incident, alongside Delta and the Port Authority.
Interestingly, the collision happened within the first 24 hours of the U.S. government shutdown. While air traffic controllers remain on duty as essential workers, some worry about long-term effects on aviation safety if funding issues continue.
FAQs on Delta Jets Collision at LaGuardia
Has Delta ever had a crash at LaGuardia?
Delta has experienced minor incidents at LaGuardia in the past, such as aircraft sliding off icy runways. However, this recent case was a low-speed taxiing collision. No passengers were seriously hurt.
What happens when planes collide while taxiing?
Taxiing collisions typically cause structural damage to the aircraft’s wings, cockpit, or fuselage. Since the planes move slowly on the ground, passengers are rarely seriously injured, but safety agencies investigate thoroughly.
Is LaGuardia Airport safe?
Yes. LaGuardia remains one of the busiest but safest airports in the U.S. This type of incident is rare and does not indicate broader safety issues.
Who is responsible when two planes collide on the ground?
Responsibility could fall on pilots, ground operations, or air traffic control, depending on investigation findings. The FAA and NTSB will determine the exact cause of the LaGuardia collision
