Delta Jets Collide at LaGuardia, Leading to Safety Review

On the evening of October 1, 2025, two Delta Air Lines regional jets were involved in a low-speed collision on a taxiway at New York's LaGuardia Airport, resulting in damage to both aircraft and injuring a flight attendant. The incident has prompted investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into ground safety protocols at one of the nation's busiest airports.

The collision occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time when Flight 5155, preparing for departure to Roanoke, Virginia, clipped the nose and cockpit of Flight 5047, which had just arrived from Charlotte, North Carolina. Both aircraft were Bombardier CRJ-900 models operated by Endeavor Air, a regional subsidiary of Delta. The impact shattered the windshield of Flight 5047 and tore part of a wing. A flight attendant sustained a knee injury and was transported to a hospital; no passenger injuries were reported.

Air traffic control audio captured a pilot reporting, "Their right wing clipped our nose and the cockpit; we have damage to our windscreen and... some of our screens in here." Emergency crews responded promptly, and all passengers were safely evacuated and transported to the terminal.

The NTSB dispatched a team of 10 investigators to the scene. Flight recorders from both aircraft were recovered and sent to NTSB headquarters for analysis. Preliminary reports indicate that air traffic control had instructed the departing aircraft to hold short and yield to the arriving plane before the collision occurred. Delta Air Lines has apologized for the incident and is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigations conducted by the NTSB and the FAA.

Endeavor Air is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, operating regional flights under the Delta Connection brand. The Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft involved in the collision are commonly used for short to medium-haul flights, accommodating approximately 76-90 passengers. Delta Air Lines is one of the world's largest airlines, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and operates an extensive domestic and international network.

This incident adds to a series of ground collisions involving Delta Air Lines in recent years. In February 2025, a Japan Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner collided with the tail of a stationary Delta Air Lines 737-800 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Additionally, in March 2015, a Delta airplane skidded off the runway at LaGuardia Airport and crashed into a fence.

The collision raises concerns about ground safety protocols and the effectiveness of communication between pilots and air traffic control, especially in congested airports like LaGuardia. While no passengers were injured, the incident underscores the potential risks associated with ground operations and the importance of stringent safety measures.

As investigations continue, the aviation industry and regulatory bodies will likely scrutinize existing ground safety protocols and communication procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The event serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in airport ground operations and the critical importance of adherence to safety measures to ensure passenger and crew safety.