Two Delta Air Lines Inc.regional jets collided while taxiing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday night. The incident caused minor injuries to one flight attendant and has prompted investigations from both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The two planes involved were both CRJ-900 aircraft operated by Endeavor Air. According to the FAA, Endeavor Air Flight 5047 was heading to its gate when it collided with Endeavor Air Flight 5155 around 10 p. m. local time. The FAA stated that air traffic control had instructed flight 5155 to hold short and yield to the other aircraft.
The NTSB announced on social media that they have also launched an investigation into the collision, sending a team of 10 people to LaGuardia. The flight recorders from both planes have been recovered and are being analyzed at NTSB headquarters in Washington.
Video footage posted online showed flashing emergency vehicle lights on the tarmac and damage to one of the plane’s wings. Delta Airlines, the parent company of Endeavor Air, released a statement saying that initial information suggests the wing of flight 5155 made contact with the other aircraft, which was arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina. One flight attendant was treated for minor injuries, but there were no reported injuries to passengers.
The incident at LaGuardia is not the first safety concern in recent months. In March, a Delta jet’s wing struck the runway while executing a maneuver, prompting an FAA investigation. In May, a Republic Airways jet had to abort takeoff to avoid a collision with another aircraft on the same runway.
The latest collision involving two Endeavor Air planes comes amid a government shutdown, which could potentially threaten aviation safety, according to a letter signed by more than 50 industry and labor groups including the International Air Transport Association.
Delta Airlines and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air, have stated that they will work with authorities to review the incident, prioritizing the safety of their customers and employees. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following protocols and procedures to ensure the safety of all individuals involved in air travel.