Delta Air Lines Plane Wing Strikes Regional Jet at Atlanta Airport

Delta Air Lines confirmed that the wing of an Airbus A350 collided with the tail of an Endeavor Air CRJ-900 while taxiing at Atlanta airport. The incident raised concerns about U.S. aviation safety, prompting the FAA to investigate. No injuries were reported among the passengers.

Delta Air Lines confirmed that an Airbus A350's wing collided with the tail of an Endeavor Air CRJ-900 aircraft while taxiing at Atlanta airport on Tuesday, causing damage to both planes. The Federal Aviation Administration announced an investigation into the incident, which occurred at the intersection of two taxiways at around 10:10 a.m. ET.

The Airbus A350 was destined for Tokyo-Haneda, while the Endeavor Air CRJ-900 was scheduled to depart for LaFayette, Louisiana. Delta noted that no injuries were reported among the 221 passengers on the A350 and the 56 passengers on the CRJ-900. The collision highlights ongoing concerns regarding U.S. aviation safety and air traffic control understaffing.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated at an industry conference that new technologies have been implemented at some airports to alert controllers if an aircraft is on the wrong runway or taxiway. He noted that close call incidents had decreased by more than half in the first half of the year but emphasized the need for continued progress, saying, 'There's no excuse for that happening.'

(With inputs from agencies.)