A collision between two planes disrupted operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Two aircraft, a Delta Airbus A350 and an Endeavor Bombardier CRJ900 collided on the tarmac, resulting in significant damages but no injuries, Fox News reported.
The incident involved the Delta Airbus A350 clipping the tail of a stationary Endeavor Bombardier CRJ900. Occurring at the intersection of two taxiways, the collision happened at 10:10 a.m. during the Delta flight's taxi for a scheduled departure to Tokyo.
Both aircraft sustained notable damage in the accident. The Endeavor Bombardier CRJ900's tail was severely damaged, particularly the vertical stabilizer. At the same time, the Delta Airbus A350 experienced damage to its wing. Onboard the two flights were a total of 277 passengers, with 221 passengers aboard the Delta flight and 56 on the Endeavor flight.
Following the encounter, both the affected planes were promptly moved to maintenance hangars for further inspection and necessary repairs.
No injuries were reported from the incident, a fact that underscores the swift response of the crews involved. Authorities have not reported any additional operational disruptions because of the collision.
Despite no injuries, the event understandably shook passengers and crew. The meteorologist Jason Adams, a passenger on the Endeavor flight, described the collision vividly.
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.
Following the event, Delta Air Lines swiftly organized alternative travel arrangements for all affected passengers. The re-accommodations were planned for departures later that Tuesday afternoon, evidencing Delta’s quick pivot to address passenger needs post-incident.
In response to the incident, Delta issued an apology for the disruption and inconvenience caused to its customers. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are involved in the ongoing investigation.
The company has expressed its cooperation with the investigating authorities, ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
In a statement, Delta pointed out the circumstances of the collision and confirmed the lack of injuries. The airline also elaborated on the immediate steps taken following the mishap to assure passenger safety and comfort.
Meanwhile Delta is cooperating with the NTSB and other authorities while Delta TechOps teams prepare to safely move both aircraft to maintenance hangars.
This incident at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson is notable particularly because of the high traffic volume the airport handles. The swift actions following the mishap not only prevented injuries but also minimized disruption to the airport’s operations.
Ultimately, while the collision between the Delta and Endeavor aircraft resulted in significant damage, the events that followed highlighted effective emergency response and customer care practices. Investigations by the FAA and NTSB will provide further insights into the causes and potential preventative measures for such incidents in the future.
