Federal authorities have launched an official investigation following a ground collision on a taxiway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m. PT, when a departing Delta Air Lines aircraft made contact with a stationary Air Canada jet.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airline statements, Delta Flight 7-an Airbus A350 carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members-was actively taxiing for takeoff toward Tokyo when the accident happened. The left wingtip of the widebody aircraft struck the horizontal stabilizer of an Air Canada Boeing 777.
Details of the LAX Ground Incident
Investigators noted that the Air Canada aircraft, operating as Flight 785, had just arrived from Toronto, Ontario. At the time of the impact, the Boeing 777 had stopped short of its designated terminal gate while being actively towed.
Witness accounts and passenger reports from the airfield quickly circulated following the event. Jayson Lowe, CEO of Ascendant Financial Inc., was onboard a separate incoming flight that had just landed at LAX. He shared his perspective on social media:
“I was looking out the window as we were taxiing to our arrival gate and a Delta A350 managed to hit a parked Air Canada plane. A parked plane. I cannot stress this enough,” Lowe wrote, adding that spatial awareness issues near large aircraft infrastructure played a critical role.
Airport Operations and Damage Assessment
Emergency crews and airline technicians responded immediately to the scene. Fortunately, airport officials and airline representatives confirmed that no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew members on either flight.
Following the impact:
- The Air Canada Boeing 777 was immediately taken out of service to undergo comprehensive structural inspections and necessary repairs.
- Delta accommodations teams worked to re-book and assist passengers affected by the delay on Flight 7 to Tokyo.
- LAX ground operations confirmed that while minor taxiway and gate holds occurred, overall airport traffic continued to operate with minimal disruptions.
According to flight tracking data from FlightAware, roughly 26 originating flights experienced minor delays of 15 minutes or less on Tuesday afternoon. Officials have not directly attributed all scheduling changes to the taxiway incident.
Growing Scrutiny Over Airport Safety
The FAA’s ongoing probe joins a series of scrutinized ground incidents across major American transportation hubs. Aviation safety experts point out that while low-speed taxiway bumps are uncommon, increased congestion on airport ramps continues to demand rigorous adherence to spatial awareness and towing protocols.
The federal investigation remains active as air traffic control audio recordings and flight data recorder information are reviewed to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the wingtip strike.
