Delta Air Lines experienced a minor incident on Tuesday morning when two of its planes collided on a taxiway at Atlanta’s airport. The collision involved a larger Delta Airbus A350 jet and a smaller Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Delta subsidiary Endeavor Air. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and Delta has assured passengers that they will be rebooked on other flights.
According to reports, the A350 jet, which was bound for Tokyo, struck the tail of the smaller regional jet as it was preparing for takeoff to Lafayette, Louisiana. Jason Adams, a meteorologist for WFTS-TV in Tampa, Florida, who was on the smaller plane, shared his experience on social media. He described the moment of impact as “terrifying,” with jarring sounds of metal scraping and loud bangs. However, Adams reassured everyone that there was no fire or smoke and that they were all safe.
Pictures shared by Adams show the tail of the smaller plane knocked on its side and lying on the taxiway, while Delta confirmed that the wing of the larger plane was also damaged. Despite the damage to the aircraft, airport officials at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport stated that disruptions to operations were minimal. Passengers from one plane were bused back to the terminal, while the other plane returned to a gate under its own power.
Delta has pledged full cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board and other authorities in their investigation into the incident. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration has also launched its own investigation.
While this incident may cause concern among travelers, it’s important to note that collisions on the ground are relatively rare. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there were only 38 reported ground collisions in the United States in 2020, out of millions of flights. Safety measures and protocols are in place to minimize the risk of such incidents, and airlines continuously work to improve safety standards.
Nevertheless, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the complex operations involved in air travel and the importance of thorough investigations to prevent future occurrences. The aviation industry is committed to learning from these incidents and implementing necessary changes to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
In conclusion, while the Delta Air Lines plane collision at Atlanta’s airport was undoubtedly a startling event, it is reassuring that there were no injuries and that disruptions to airport operations were minimal. Delta’s cooperation with authorities in their investigation demonstrates the airline’s commitment to safety. Travelers can take comfort in the fact that incidents like this are rare and that the aviation industry continuously strives to improve safety measures.
