UPS and Copa Airlines jets collide at Miami International Airport
Two people sustained minor injuries after a cargo plane and a passenger jet collided on a taxiway on Saturday.
A UPS Boeing 767 and a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 collided on a taxiway at Miami International Airport on Saturday night, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 pm local time at the intersection of two taxiways, as reported by the Times of India and Hindustan Times.
The Copa Airlines flight, which arrived from Panama City with 166 passengers and six crew members, was taxiing toward the terminal. The UPS aircraft was preparing to depart for Bogota, Colombia. Air traffic control audio indicates that controllers had told the UPS crew to yield to the arriving Copa flight before the contact occurred.
During the exchange, the Copa pilot told controllers, "Somebody hit us," and later noted that the left wingtip appeared to be missing. The UPS pilot responded that they had gone too far and clipped the other aircraft with the wing. Greg Chin, the Miami International Airport communications director, stated that two people sustained minor injuries but did not require medical treatment.
Both airlines have stated they will cooperate with the FAA investigation. Copa Airlines said it regretted the disruption to passengers and noted that all 172 people on board disembarked safely after the plane was towed to the gate. UPS confirmed its crew members were unharmed and is assisting authorities in determining the cause.
The collision follows a nationwide FAA ground stop on Friday that caused widespread flight cancellations and delays across the United States.