Two commercial passenger jets operated by Delta Air Lines and Air Canada were involved in a ground collision on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday morning. Federal aviation authorities confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, resulting in structural damage to both aircraft but no reported injuries.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Delta Air Lines Flight 7 was taxiing for departure when its left wingtip clipped the horizontal stabilizer of an Air Canada aircraft. The Delta flight, an Airbus A350-900, was en route to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and carried 275 passengers along with 15 crew members.
The second aircraft involved, Air Canada Flight 785 (also cited in some reports as Flight 875), had recently landed at LAX following a flight from Toronto. Representatives for Air Canada stated that their plane was being towed to its arrival gate and had stopped short when the departing Delta flight made contact with its tail section.
Eyewitness Accounts and Visual Damage
Travelers and airport witnesses captured the aftermath of the collision on social media, showcasing the physical impact on both planes. Photos and video footage posted online revealed that the curved portion of the Delta jet’s left wing, known as a winglet, was sheared off during the impact and remained visibly lodged inside the horizontal stabilizer of the Air Canada aircraft.
Jayson Lowe, chief executive of Ascendant Financial Inc., was onboard a separate incoming flight at LAX when he witnessed the collision from his window. “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 in a public social media post, adding that spatial awareness appeared to have lapsed in the cockpit.
Airline and Regulatory Responses
Both airlines issued statements addressing safety protocols and passenger accommodations following the ground mishap. A Delta Air Lines spokesperson expressed regret over the disruption, emphasizing that passenger and crew safety remains the company’s highest priority.
“While taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport, a Delta aircraft made contact with an Air Canada aircraft. Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, and we apologize to our customers for the experience and delay in their travels,” the Delta statement read.
Air Canada confirmed that its aircraft would be taken completely out of service for comprehensive structural inspections and necessary repairs. Delta announced that it was actively evaluating recovery options and working to accommodate passengers affected by the delayed Tokyo service.
Airport Operations and Ongoing Investigation
Operations at Los Angeles International Airport continued largely as normal, though airport spokespersons noted minor ripple effects across the airfield. Flight tracking data and airport authorities indicated brief gate holds and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less following the morning incident. Arrival traffic experienced similar minor airborne delays while crews cleared the taxiway.
The Federal Aviation Administration has formally launched an investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the wingtip strike. Additionally, Delta confirmed it will fully cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as federal investigators review air traffic control communications, ground tracking data, and cockpit procedures.
