NEW YORK— Two planes operated by United Airlines (UA) collided on the tarmac at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) on Friday evening, after a day marked by widespread delays and strong winds.
The aircraft made contact while one was taxiing into its arrival gate and the other was preparing to depart. No injuries were reported, and both flights returned to the gate for deplaning and passenger assistance.
Two United Aircraft Collided
A United flight arriving from Orlando, Florida, was turning toward the terminal when it clipped the tail of a stationary United plane bound for Houston.
The arriving aircraft made the “contact” while taxiing; the departing aircraft was waiting at its gate. United confirmed that both sets of passengers and crew were safely deplaned and that investigations are underway.
A passenger, who was quoted in The Independent, said:
We all felt a bump during taxi to the runway but didn’t know it was another plane until the captain said it was
The incident occurred during a period of ground stops and staffing challenges at the airport and across the region.
Emergency vehicles were observed at the scene shortly thereafter, although no injuries were reported among the passengers and crew aboard both aircraft.
There were 328 passengers and 15 United crew members onboard the two planes.
ALSO READ: Two Delta Planes Collided at New York’s LaGuardia, One Passenger Seriously Injured
What Caused United’s Collision at LaGuardia?
The collision took place amid a day of elevated disruption at LaGuardia and other New York‑area airports.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that nearly 80 % of air‐traffic controllers in the New York area were absent amid a prolonged government shutdown. In a statement quoted in AOL, the FAA said:
Currently, half of our Core 30 facilities are experiencing staffing shortage…After 31 days without pay, air traffic controllers are under immense stress and fatigue. The shutdown must end so that these controllers receive the pay they’ve earned and travelers can avoid further disruptions and delays.
No conclusive reason behind the collision has been established.
United’s Response to the LaGuardia Collision
United is now working to re‑route affected passengers and ensure they reach their destinations with minimal further disruption.
Both aircraft are being inspected for damage; the tail of the stationary plane is undergoing maintenance review. The airline is coordinating with authorities and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which referred media inquiries to United.
The FAA emphasized that safety protocols were maintained throughout the incident. The agency highlighted that capacity reductions are used when staffing levels slip in order to preserve safety margins across the air‑traffic system.
Bottom Line
Travelers should expect delays not only at LGA but also at nearby airports, including John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and Newark Liberty International (EWR), during periods of adverse weather and operational strain.
For United Airlines, the incident reinforces the importance of rigorous ground coordination, gate management, and proactive communication with passengers.
Travelers are advised to monitor flight status closely, allow extra time at airports, and remain flexible with connections when flying in and out of the New York metro area.
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
