A Delta plane clipped an Air Canada Boeing 777 while taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), damaging both widebody aircraft and disrupting the travel plans of passengers on the affected flights.
The incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, October 6, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Delta Flight 7, an Airbus A350-900, was taxiing for departure when its left wingtip struck the horizontal stabilizer of Air Canada Flight 785.
The Delta aircraft was preparing to fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda. It had 275 passengers and 15 crew members on board when the collision occurred. Fortunately, authorities reported no injuries among the passengers or crew.
Delta Plane Strikes Air Canada Boeing 777
The Air Canada aircraft had arrived at LAX from Toronto before the incident. The FAA said the Boeing 777 was being towed toward its gate when it stopped short of the stand.
As the Delta A350 moved along the taxiway, its left wingtip came into contact with the Air Canada aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer. The stabilizer is the smaller wing-like structure located at the rear of an aircraft and helps control its movement during flight.
The impact damaged both aircraft. Reports from the scene indicated that part of the Delta aircraft’s wingtip became lodged in the Air Canada jet’s horizontal stabilizer. The damage forced both airlines to remove the affected aircraft from service for inspection and repairs.
The collision occurred on a taxiway rather than a runway, meaning neither aircraft was in the process of taking off or landing. Despite the incident, LAX continued normal airport operations, and other flights were able to operate.
The ground collision nevertheless caused delays for passengers travelling on the affected aircraft. Delta said it was working with its teams to assess the situation and assist customers whose travel plans were disrupted.
FAA Investigates LAX Ground Collision
The FAA has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. The agency confirmed that Delta Flight 7 was taxiing for departure when its wingtip clipped the Air Canada aircraft.
Investigators have not yet determined what caused the two aircraft to come into contact. They are expected to examine the movements of both aircraft, the instructions given during ground operations and the clearance available on the taxiway.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was also notified about the incident. However, authorities have not assigned responsibility to either airline while the investigation remains ongoing.
Passenger accounts have also provided additional details about the moment of impact. One passenger said the Delta aircraft was taxiing when the Air Canada aircraft moved into its path. Air traffic control audio reportedly captured the crews discussing the contact shortly afterward.
Delta confirmed that its aircraft made contact with an Air Canada aircraft while taxiing at LAX and apologised to passengers for the resulting delays. Air Canada also confirmed that its aircraft would undergo inspection and repairs before returning to service.
The incident has drawn attention because of the size of the aircraft involved. The Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 are both large long-haul jets designed to carry hundreds of passengers across international routes.
For passengers, however, the most important development was the absence of injuries. The collision caused significant aircraft damage and travel disruption, but it did not result in a reported loss of life or serious injuries.
Authorities will now examine the events leading to the contact as they work to establish exactly how the two aircraft ended up occupying the same area of the busy airport taxiway.