Image courtesy (file): Jiaqian AirplaneFan, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK, NY – October 2, 2025 – Late Wednesday evening, October 1, 2025, Two Delta Regional Jets Involved in Low-Speed Taxiway Collision at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. The incident, involving aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines’ regional carrier Endeavor Air, occurred at approximately 9:58 p.m. EDT and resulted in a minor injury to one flight attendant. This event has prompted immediate investigations by key aviation safety bodies.
Understanding the Incident: What Happened on the Taxiway
The collision involved two Canadair CRJ-900 regional jets. Endeavor Air flight 5155, which was preparing for departure from LaGuardia to Roanoke, Virginia, made contact with Endeavor Air flight 5047, an inbound flight that had just arrived from Charlotte, North Carolina. The impact, described by sources as a low-speed event, saw the wing of the departing aircraft strike the nose and cockpit window of the arriving jet. Audio from LiveATC.net reportedly captured the pilot of flight 5047 reporting to ground control, “Their right wing clipped our nose and the cockpit wind screens.” The incident occurred at the critical intersection of taxiway M and A, a detail confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Injuries and Swift Response Protocols
A single flight attendant sustained a minor injury, reportedly to the knee, during the collision. Emergency medical services were promptly on the scene to assess and treat the individual, who was then transported to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. Crucially, no other injuries were reported among the passengers or remaining crew members on either flight.
In the immediate aftermath, a total of 85 passengers were safely deplaned directly on the taxiway. This included 57 individuals from the inbound flight and 28 from the outbound flight. These passengers were then transported by bus back to Terminal C. Delta teams at LaGuardia swiftly mobilized to assist all affected customers, providing essential support such as food and beverages, arranging hotel accommodations where needed, and facilitating rebooking for those whose travel plans were disrupted. Passengers described the impact as a jarring but not violent event, appreciating the quick evacuation and support.
Operational Impact and Regulatory Investigations
Despite the collision and visible damage to one of the aircraft’s cockpit windows, general airport operations at LaGuardia were not disrupted. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that the incident had no broader impact on airport traffic or schedules.
Multiple aviation authorities have launched comprehensive investigations to determine the exact cause and contributing factors of this low-speed taxiway collision at LaGuardia Airport. The FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the Port Authority are all actively reviewing the circumstances. Preliminary information released by the FAA highlighted that air traffic control had previously instructed the departing aircraft (flight 5155) to hold short and yield before proceeding through the intersection. This specific detail regarding air traffic control instructions will be a central focus as the investigations progress, exploring potential factors such as communication, pilot action, and ground navigation protocols.
Airline and Official Statements
Delta Air Lines has reiterated its paramount commitment to the safety of its customers and personnel. In a statement, the airline apologized for the inconvenience experienced by its customers and pledged full cooperation with all relevant authorities involved in the review. Officials have confirmed that the flight attendant’s injury was non-life-threatening. Further findings and official conclusions from the FAA and NTSB are anticipated once their thorough investigations are completed, providing a clearer understanding of how this unusual ground incident unfolded.
