CHICAGO, IL—Two United Airlines planes were involved in a minor ground collision at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred when an arriving jet clipped the tail of another stationary United aircraft while taxiing to its gate.
The good news is that despite the contact between the two large jets, there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew.
The Details of the Incident
The mishap occurred on Friday afternoon when United Flight UA2652, a Boeing 737-700 carrying 113 passengers and five crew members from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, was negotiating the airport’s busy ramp area.
- The Collision: The wing of the arriving Boeing 737 made contact with the horizontal stabilizer (the small wing on the tail) of a larger, parked Boeing 767.
- Passenger Experience: The impact was reportedly light, with many passengers onboard the arriving flight unaware of the collision. Passenger Bill Marcus told a local news outlet that he didn’t feel the initial contact, but he did feel a “shuddering” when the planes were eventually separated.
- No Injuries: United confirmed that all passengers deplaned normally, and no injuries were reported on either aircraft. No passengers were on board the stationary Boeing 767 at the time of the incident.
Aftermath and Investigation
The collision caused a delay of about 40 minutes before the passengers on Flight 2652 were able to exit the aircraft at the gate.
Both aircraft were taken out of service for full inspection by maintenance crews. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and is now investigating the ground collision. The focus of the investigation will be to determine what caused the arriving 737 to stray into the space occupied by the stationary 767.
The incident is the latest in a series of ground-related collisions at major U.S. airports this year and adds to the ongoing industry conversation about safety standards amid air traffic control and ground operations challenges.
Conclusion
While minor in severity, Friday’s ground collision at O’Hare highlights the importance of precise navigation in the crowded environment of one of the world’s busiest airports. The fact that the incident resulted in zero injuries is a testament to the safety margins built into modern commercial aviation. United Airlines will now work with the FAA to pinpoint the cause and prevent future mishaps.
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This article is a factual news report on an aviation incident and does not contain any affiliate links or paid endorsements.
Disclaimer
The details in this report are based on preliminary information released by United Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing and may reveal additional information. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, readers should refer to official statements from United Airlines or the relevant government agencies.
