On Wednesday night, LaGuardia Airport in New York witnessed a significant incident when two planes collided on the tarmac, both operated by Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. The collision occurred as Endeavor Flight 5047 was arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina, while Endeavor Flight 5155 was preparing for its departure to Roanoke, Virginia. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries to passengers, but the event raised alarms about air traffic control protocols and operational safety.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the incoming flight was taxiing to its gate when the incident unfolded. The details suggest that air traffic controllers instructed the departing flight to yield to the arriving jet. In a low-speed collision, the wing of the incoming plane clipped the nose of the outbound aircraft. Delta characterized the event as a “low-speed collision,” but accounts from onlookers indicate it felt anything but minor.
Joey Annunziato, a CBS News producer on board the arriving flight, described the moment of impact vividly. “It was a pretty violent collision. At the time, we didn’t really know what we hit,” he recounted. The description he provided evokes a sense of disbelief: “It almost sounded like a sardine can kind of opening,” he added, as passengers witnessed the damaged wing that appeared nearly detached from the plane. Passengers in both aircraft experienced a significant jolt… a reminder of just how unsettling air travel can be.
The chaos onboard is echoed by statements from other passengers. Annunziato noted that everyone “shot forward in their seats,” illustrating the abruptness of the incident. “It was kind of a little chaotic as soon as it happened,” he reflected. Voices of concern and shock filled the cabin as passengers attempted to comprehend what had just transpired. “Their right wing clipped our nose and the cockpit. We have damage to our windscreen,” the pilot reported to air traffic control, highlighting the severity of the collision.
The outbound flight carried 28 passengers and four crew members. While most on board reported only minor impacts, at least one flight attendant suffered injuries and was taken to a hospital. Nate Cicero, another passenger from the outbound flight, described the experience as relatively mild for his section. “It wasn’t too big of a hit for us,” he said, but expressed concern for those seated next to the damaged wing, where the impact was likely more severe. He suggested that perhaps a miscommunication with air traffic control could be to blame… adding to the tension surrounding the incident.
The FAA will likely perform a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this collision. Such incidents bring to light the intricate and often hectic nature of airport operations, where every decision carries weight and communication is critical. With thousands of flights operating safely each day, a rare mishap like this serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved.
While LaGuardia Airport has navigated numerous challenges over the years, this collision raises questions about the effectiveness of safety measures in place and how to prevent future incidents. As the aviation industry continues to recover from the challenges posed by the pandemic, the focus remains on maintaining safety and operational integrity.
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