Two Delta Air Lines planes collided on a runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Tuesday morning, causing damage to both aircraft, but no injuries were reported.
According to Daily Mail Online, the incident occurred just after 10 am when a Tokyo-bound flight clipped the tail of another plane headed to Louisiana.
The collision involved an Airbus A350 destined for Tokyo and an Endeavor Air CRJ-900 regional jet bound for Lafayette, Louisiana. The Airbus reportedly struck the regional jet while taxiing, resulting in damage to the CRJ-900's tail and the A350's wing. Despite the collision, no injuries were reported among the combined 277 passengers on both flights.
Jason Adams, a Tampa meteorologist aboard the Louisiana-bound plane, shared his experience on social media platform X:
Well that was terrifying. Taxiing out for the flight from Atlanta to Louisiana and another plane appears to have clipped the back of our plane. Very jarring, metal scraping sounds then loud bangs. We're fine. No fire or smoke. Awaiting instructions.
Adams' account provides a firsthand perspective of the collision's impact on passengers. The incident prompted an immediate response from airport and airline personnel to ensure passenger safety and address the situation.
Delta Air Lines issued a statement acknowledging the incident and detailing their response. The airline worked to accommodate affected passengers on alternate flights scheduled to depart later that afternoon. Delta also expressed regret for the inconvenience travelers were caused.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, known as the busiest airport in the United States, reported that the collision occurred at the intersection of taxiways E and H on the north airfield. Airport officials stated that the incident would have "minimal impact" on overall operations.
Following standard procedures for such incidents, passengers from one of the aircraft were transported by bus from the collision site to the airport concourses. The second aircraft was able to taxi under its own power to a concourse, where passengers disembarked at their designated gate.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that it is investigating the incident. This investigation will likely examine factors such as air traffic control communications, pilot actions, and any potential mechanical issues that may have contributed to the collision.
This runway collision follows other recent safety-related incidents involving Delta Air Lines flights. Last month, a Delta flight to Rome was forced to return to Boston after being struck by lightning over the Atlantic Ocean.
In March, a Boeing-operated Delta flight departing from Aruba experienced an engine blowout during takeoff, necessitating an emergency landing.
These incidents, while unrelated to the runway collision in Atlanta, highlight the ongoing importance of aviation safety protocols and prompt responses to potential hazards. Airlines and regulatory bodies continually review and update safety measures to prevent and address such occurrences.
The collision at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport involved two Delta Air Lines planes, resulting in damage but no injuries. An Airbus A350 bound for Tokyo struck a CRJ-900 regional jet headed to Louisiana while taxiing. The incident prompted immediate response from Delta and airport officials. Affected passengers were rebooked on later flights. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the cause of the collision.
