NEW YORK, NY—A routine night at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) was disrupted by a “low-speed collision” between two Delta Air Lines regional jets on a taxiway late Wednesday night. The incident, which left one flight attendant injured, highlights the potential dangers of ground operations at a busy airport.
The crash occurred just before 10 p.m. local time between an inbound flight from Charlotte and an outbound flight to Roanoke, Virginia. Both aircraft were Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jets operated by Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta.
The Collision and Aftermath
According to a statement from Delta and information from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the wing of the Roanoke-bound jet clipped the nose and cockpit of the arriving plane. Audio from air traffic control captured the pilot of the Charlotte flight calmly reporting the collision.
- Injuries: One flight attendant suffered a non-life-threatening knee injury and was taken to a local hospital as a precaution. No passengers on either jet were reported to be injured.
- Passenger Count: The flight arriving from Charlotte (Flight 5047) had 57 passengers, while the jet bound for Roanoke (Flight 5155) had 28 passengers.
- Evacuation: All passengers were safely evacuated from the aircraft on the taxiway and were transported by bus back to the terminal. Delta provided them with meals and hotel accommodations for the night.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both launched investigations into the incident to determine the cause, including whether taxiway congestion or a communication error played a role.
Despite the chaos on the taxiway, the Port Authority confirmed that the collision had no impact on other airport operations.
Conclusion
While this low-speed collision at LaGuardia thankfully resulted in only minor injuries, it serves as a stark reminder of the safety risks inherent in aviation, even on the ground. The quick and professional response from the pilots and airport emergency services ensured that all passengers were safe. As the FAA and NTSB work to determine the cause, this incident will likely prompt a renewed focus on ground communication and taxiway safety at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article is a factual news report on an aviation incident and does not contain any affiliate links or paid endorsements.
Disclaimer
The details of this incident are based on preliminary information from Delta Air Lines, the FAA, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The official investigation is ongoing and may reveal additional information. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, readers should refer to official statements from Delta Air Lines or the relevant government agencies.
Charlotte flight involved in on-ground collision at New York’s LaGuardia This video provides a news report on the collision, showing on-the-ground details and a pilot’s audio.
