Chaos strikes American airport after two Delta planes collide on runway
The aviation industry continues to have a concerning year, with yet another plane disaster resulting in a close call that could've been much worse. Still, there's no avoiding the severity of two Delta planes colliding on the runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport.
2025 got off to an unfortunate start in terms of plane news, and alongside the Potomac River collision, which killed 67 people in January 2025, June's Air India Flight 171 claimed the lives of all but one of the 242 people on board.
Delta has also been in the news, but not just for allegations that one flight attendant slapped a passenger. There were thankfully no fatalities when Delta Connection Flight 4819 landed upside down in Toronto, while quick thinking from the pilot of SkyWest Flight 3788 stopped the Delta connection from crashing into a B-52 bomber.
Delta Air Lines is again in the news for all of the wrong reasons, with two planes reportedly colliding on the LaGuardia Airport runway. The pair of planes was operated by subsidiary Endeavor Air, crashing into each other with a low-speed impact on October 1.
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Just before 10.00 pm Eastern Time, Endeavor Air Flight 5047 was arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina, running into Endeavor Flight 5155, which was scheduled to depart for Roanoke, Virginia.
On the air traffic control audio, one pilot can be heard saying: "Their right wing clipped our nose and the cockpit. We have damage to our windscreen and… some of our screens in here."
As per the New York Post, a Delta statement confirmed that the 32 on Flight 5155 and 61 on Flight 5047 were largely fine, although a flight attendant was taken to the hospital after she sustained an injury to her knee.
My @CBSNews colleague Joey Annunziato is on DL5047. He describes what happened as it was taxing to the gate and was clipped by another delta regional jet. pic.twitter.com/uBzgzoILzi
— Kris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) October 2, 2025
The collision apparently didn't impact overall airport operations, although photographs from the scene showed a shattered windshield and damage to one of the noses.
A video from passenger Joey Annunziato also showcased the immediate aftermath of the crash, with the CBS News producer stating: "We got absolutely smashed by another Delta flight. I don’t know if we hit them or they hit us, but it was super jarring.
“Everyone shot forward in their seats and it was kind of a little chaotic as soon as it happened. We were shocked at what happened."
Annunziato said his plane was moving at a 'decent clip' when the crash happened.
Delta added: "Delta will work with all relevant authorities to review what occurred, as the safety of our customers and people comes before all else. We apologize to our customers for the experience."
The airline is working alongside the Federal Aviation Authority and the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the incident.