Two aircraft collide on Miami International Airport runway during taxiing
A Copa Airlines Boeing 737 and a UPS Boeing 767 struck each other while taxiing at Miami International Airport, injuring two people and prompting an FAA investigation.
Two aircraft collided on the tarmac at Miami International Airport Saturday night, a day after a nationwide flight grounding caused widespread cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration said a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 wingtip struck the nose of a UPS Boeing 767 while the planes were taxiing around 9:15 p.m.
Airport communications director Greg Chin told CNN that two people sustained minor injuries and were treated on site by fire and rescue teams.
"We were taxiing after landing at a normal speed when, all of a sudden, I heard the chatter around me getting louder, followed by a collective scream and then the impact of another aircraft hitting ours," said Copa passenger Cesar Ferreira to CNN.
"Inside the cabin, we felt the plane jerk abruptly sideways. At first, some passengers started freaking out, but the Copa crew reacted quickly, getting everyone to remain seated," Ferreira added.
Air traffic controllers had instructed the UPS crew to give way to the Copa flight, according to the FAA, which is now investigating the incident. UPS said it is committed to working with authorities and that its crew was safe. Copa Airlines expressed regret over the disruption and affirmed that passenger and crew safety remain its top priority while it cooperates with investigators.
Audio from air traffic control captured the Copa pilot reporting a collision and the UPS pilot acknowledging the contact. The Copa pilot later noted a missing left wingtip. After about ten minutes, the captain announced there was no imminent danger and a tug would move the aircraft. All 166 passengers and six crew members have since disembarked, and the plane was returned to the terminal. The Copa flight had arrived from Panama City, while the UPS flight was preparing to depart for Bogotá.