On Wednesday night, two Delta Air Lines regional jets were involved in a low-speed collision on a taxiway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The incident occurred when the wing of one CRJ-900 aircraft struck the cockpit windows of another, according to Delta.
Aircraft Involved
Both planes were CRJ-900 regional jets operated by Endeavor Air, a Delta regional carrier. Flight 5047, which had just landed from Charlotte, North Carolina, was struck by the wing of Flight 5155, preparing to depart for Roanoke, Virginia.
Pilot Reports and ATC Communication
In recordings shared by LiveATC.net, the pilot of Flight 5047 reported:
“Their right wing clipped our nose and the cockpit wind screens.”
The pilot of Flight 5155 confirmed that a flight attendant sustained a knee injury during the collision.
Passenger and Crew Impact
According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the airport, one person was taken to the hospital, while no other injuries were reported.
- Flight 5047 carried 57 passengers.
- Flight 5155 carried 28 passengers.
All passengers were safely transported to the terminal by bus, and Delta provided hotel accommodations and meals.
Airline Response
Delta issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to safety:
“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.”
Airport Operations
The Port Authority confirmed that the collision did not disrupt overall airport operations.
FAA and Ongoing Review
CNN reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for comment. However, it is unclear when a response will be issued due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Conclusion
The LaGuardia Airport jet collision highlights how even low-speed ground incidents can cause injuries and disruptions for passengers and crew. While only one minor injury was reported, Delta and aviation authorities are investigating the event to prevent similar accidents in the future. Importantly, airport operations remained unaffected, ensuring minimal disruption for other travelers.
