Delta A350 clips Air Canada 777 at LAX, causing minor damage and delays

Key points

• Delta Flight 7, an Airbus A350, was taxiing for departure when its left wingtip contacted the horizontal stabilizer of Air Canada Flight 875 (also referenced as AC 785 in some reports), a Boeing 777.
• The FAA stated the Air Canada aircraft was being towed and stopped short of its gate at the time of the collision.
• No injuries were reported; Delta had 275 passengers and 15 crew members on board.
• LAX experienced gate hold and taxi delays of 15 minutes or less, with 26 flights delayed and 2 cancelled as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.
• Both airlines confirmed the planes 'made contact' and are conducting inspections and repairs.

Background

This incident occurs as Delta Air Lines expands its presence at LAX, launching its largest-ever schedule with new routes to Monterey and Philadelphia and increasing frequencies to seven existing destinations. Delta markets itself as LAX's leading carrier, though it faces competition from United, American, Alaska, and Southwest. Recent aviation safety discussions have highlighted challenges in runway excursions and the limits of systems like the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) in preventing all ground incidents.

How outlets are covering it

The California Post and CP24 both report the incident as a minor collision with no injuries, citing the FAA's statement that the Air Canada plane was being towed. The California Post includes a witness account from Jayson Lowe, who described the Air Canada plane as 'parked' and criticized the Delta pilot's spatial awareness. CP24 notes that the Air Canada pilot reported a 'shudder' to air traffic control, while the Delta pilot cited an 'issue with the wing tip.' The Yahoo source title suggests a 'tarmac mishap,' aligning with the FAA's description of a tow-related incident. All sources agree on the lack of injuries and the subsequent inspections, but the California Post emphasizes the witness's frustration, while CP24 focuses on the airlines' official statements and the FAA's investigation.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing challenges in ground operations at major hubs like LAX, where high traffic volumes increase the risk of collisions. It underscores the importance of spatial awareness and coordination between taxiing and towed aircraft. For Delta, which is expanding its LAX footprint, the incident may raise questions about operational safety and maintenance protocols. For Air Canada, the damage to a Boeing 777 could impact its schedule and require significant repairs. The FAA's investigation will likely determine whether procedural or technical factors contributed to the collision.

What to watch

The FAA is investigating the incident to determine the cause and any potential violations. Both Delta and Air Canada are conducting inspections and repairs on the affected aircraft. LAX may continue to experience minor delays as operations normalize. The FAA's findings could lead to recommendations for improved ground procedures or training for pilots and ground crews.