Two regional jets operated by Delta Air Lines were involved in a collision on a taxiway at LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday evening, resulting in damage to one aircraft and minor injuries to a flight attendant. The incident transpired shortly before 10 p.m., when Endeavor Air Flight 5155, a CRJ-900 scheduled to depart for Roanoke, Virginia, struck the nose of Endeavor Air Flight 5047, which had arrived from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Flight 5155 was carrying 28 passengers, while Flight 5047 had 57 on board. According to details released by Delta, the right wing of Flight 5155 clipped the cockpit of Flight 5047, leading to significant damage that included a shattered windshield. Air traffic control audio revealed that the pilot of Flight 5047 reported multiple impacts, stating the cockpit suffered damage along with some of the aircraft’s navigation screens.
Witness accounts from passengers described the moments immediately following the collision as chaotic. Joey Annunziato, a CBS News producer who was aboard the Charlotte flight, remarked on the severity of the impact, saying, “We got absolutely smashed by another Delta flight.” He noted that the passengers were jolted forward in their seats, contributing to a moment of shock and confusion.
Another passenger, William Lusk, recounted how the cabin fell silent after the incident. The pilot addressed the passengers, reassuringly informing them of the crash and urging calmness amid the unfolding situation.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reported that a flight attendant sustained a non-life-threatening injury to her knee and was promptly taken to a hospital for treatment. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, as evidenced by numerous photos and videos shared on social media.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is actively investigating the incident, which occurred at the intersection of taxiways M and A. Initial reports indicate that air traffic control had instructed Flight 5155 to yield to Flight 5047 prior to the collision. While the exact circumstances leading to the incident remain unclear, the FAA is expected to thoroughly examine the issue.
In response to the event, Delta Air Lines issued a public apology to affected passengers and expressed commitment to cooperating with both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. A Delta spokesperson stated, “The safety of our customers and people comes before all else.”
Following the incident, passengers from both flights were provided transportation back to the terminal, where they received accommodations and meal vouchers, as well as rebooking for their travel needs. Notably, the Port Authority confirmed that airport operations remained unaffected by the collision.
Interestingly, the incident coincided with the onset of a government shutdown that has disrupted federal services and led to furloughs of some FAA employees. Although air traffic controllers are considered essential and continued to work without pay, airlines, including Delta, have conveyed concerns regarding potential strains on aviation operations due to the reduced staffing levels. It remains unclear if the shutdown had any bearing on the events leading up to the incident.
