SAO PAULO – On the 3rd of December 2024, two LATAM Airlines (LA) aircraft were involved in a ground collision at Sao Paulo Congonhas Airport (CGH).
The collision occurred during taxiing when the wingtip of an Airbus A320neo struck the tail of a stationary Airbus A319.
Damage and Repair Requirements
The Airbus A320neo with registration PR-XBG was taxiing to depart as flight LA3064 bound for Curitiba, while the A319 with registration PT-TMS was parked at the stand. The A319 was scheduled to depart as flight LA3050 from Sao Paulo to Belo Horizonte. However, following the collision the flights were canceled, as revealed by FlightRadar24 data.
While the collision occurred at low speed and caused no injuries, both aircraft sustained damage requiring detailed inspections and repairs, as reported by one user on X.
- The A320neo’s winglet will be replaced, and non-destructive testing (NDT) will be performed on its right wing to check for potential fatigue or structural issues.
- The A319’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) exhaust duct will be replaced, and the APU itself will be removed for inspection to assess internal damage.
LATAM Airlines issued a statement confirming that the incident caused no injuries to passengers or crew on either flight.
The event did not put any passengers or crew at risk, who disembarked safely and without issue.”
LATAM Airlines Official Statement
The airline also stated that it is cooperating fully with the Aeronautical Accident Investigation and Prevention Center (Cenipa), which is leading the investigation into the incident.
Congonhas Airport Operations
Congonhas Airport, known for its capacity-constrained and high operational density, resumed operations shortly after the collision without any delays. LATAM quickly implemented its contingency plans, rerouting affected passengers on alternative flights to minimize disruption.
While the collision caused no harm, the incident highlights the challenges of ground handling and taxiing in congested airports. Aviation safety experts emphasize that such events highlight the importance of rigorous ground operations protocols and continuous staff training to mitigate risks.
The investigation by Cenipa will focus on determining the circumstances that led to the collision and will likely include an evaluation of ground control processes and communication protocols.
Similar Incidents
A series of aircraft collision incidents have occurred at several major U.S. airports this year.
At Boston Logan International Airport, multiple collision events unfolded. On November 25, 2024, an American Airlines plane clipped the wing of a Frontier Airlines aircraft at Terminal E. In a separate incident, a JetBlue tug vehicle struck a Cape Air plane, resulting in injuries to two Cape Air pilots.
Another collision occurred at Chicago O’Hare International Airport when an American Airlines Airbus A319 was struck by an Envoy Air Embraer E170 while waiting at a gate on September 11, 2024.
At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, two Delta Air Lines Airbus A320 aircraft experienced a wing contact on the runway, causing significant flight delays. The incident happened during morning taxiing operations.
A similar event transpired at Boston Logan on February 8, 2024, when two JetBlue Airways planes collided on the tarmac, disrupting passenger travel plans.
I can go on and on as there are multiple ground incidents between planes, planes, and ground vehicles and also between plane and airport structures such as airbridge and poles.
Featured Image by EBaviation
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
