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Delta plane clips Air Canada jet’s tail at LAX, no injuries reported

FAA investigates ground collision involving Tokyo-bound flight

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
A Delta Air Lines aircraft struck the tail of an Air Canada jet while taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration said, with no injuries reported.

The collision happened at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Los Angeles International Airport, according to the FAA. Delta Flight 7’s left wingtip clipped the horizontal stabilizer of Air Canada Flight 785, a horizontal surface on the tail.

The Air Canada aircraft was being towed after arriving at the airport and had stopped short of its gate when the collision occurred, the FAA said. The Delta aircraft, an Airbus A350 bound for Tokyo, was carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members.

A passenger’s photo showed visible damage to the Air Canada aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer, with part of the surface appearing bent and torn.

Air Canada confirmed that no injuries were reported and said its aircraft will be taken out of service for inspection and repairs. Delta acknowledged the collision and apologized for the disruption.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, and we apologize to our customers for the experience and delay in their travel,” Delta said.

The FAA is investigating the collision.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Ground collisions between aircraft, even when minor, are closely scrutinized as potential indicators of procedural or communication failures at busy airports.
  • The Delta jet was a long-haul international flight with nearly 300 people on board, highlighting the scale of disruption and the stakes in ground safety.
  • The FAA’s findings could lead to changes in taxiing or towing procedures at major airports.

Background

Aircraft have struck one another while taxiing or being towed at airports before, though such incidents are relatively uncommon. Investigations typically examine pilot instructions, towing procedures, and air traffic control communications to determine what went wrong.

Key Perspectives

Delta Air Lines: Apologized to customers and said passenger safety is its priority, while cooperating with the investigation. Air Canada: Confirmed no injuries and said the affected aircraft will be pulled from service for inspection and repairs. Federal Aviation Administration: Is investigating the incident and will assess the circumstances around the towing and taxiing movements.

What to Watch

  • The FAA’s preliminary findings on how the collision occurred and who was responsible.
  • How long the Air Canada aircraft remains out of service and whether either airline faces schedule disruptions.
  • Any safety recommendations that emerge for ground operations at LAX or other airports.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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