A ground collision involving a UPS cargo aircraft and a Copa Airlines passenger jet at Miami has drawn attention after a passenger recorded footage showing damage to an aircraft’s nose. The incident occurred at Miami International Airport (MIA) on Saturday, November 14, when both aircraft were moving along separate taxiways.
The collision involved a UPS Airlines (5X) Boeing 767 and a Copa Airlines (CM) Boeing 737. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Copa aircraft’s wingtip struck the nose of the UPS freighter as the passenger jet taxied towards its gate and the cargo aircraft prepared to depart for Bogotá, Colombia.
Miami Airport Collision Involving Two Aircraft
The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. local time at the intersection of two taxiways at Miami International Airport. The UPS aircraft was operating Flight 358, scheduled to travel from Miami to Bogotá, while Copa Airlines Flight 427 had arrived from Panama City, Panama.
The FAA said air traffic controllers had instructed the UPS crew to give way to the arriving Copa aircraft. However, the two aircraft made contact while taxiing, resulting in visible damage to the aircraft involved.
Passenger-recorded footage from inside the Copa Airlines aircraft showed the aftermath of the collision. Images shared on social media also showed damage around the nose section of the UPS Boeing 767, bringing further attention to the incident.
Injuries And Aircraft Damage
Although initial reports indicated that no injuries had occurred, updated information from Miami-Dade Aviation confirmed that two people received treatment for minor injuries at the scene. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue attended the incident, but neither person required transportation to a hospital.
The collision also prompted an exchange between the flight crews and air traffic control. In radio communications circulating online, a pilot reported that the aircraft had been struck, while the UPS crew acknowledged that its aircraft had gone too far and was clipped by the Copa jet’s wing.
The footage shared by passengers provided a closer look at the aftermath. The incident highlighted the potential consequences of aircraft positioning errors during ground movements, although investigators have yet to establish the precise circumstances behind the contact.
FAA Launches Formal Investigation Into Collision
The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation into the collision. Its preliminary statement confirmed that controllers had instructed the UPS crew to give way to the arriving Copa aircraft before the two jets made contact.
Miami International Airport said it redirected flights to alternative taxiways while emergency personnel responded. Airport communications officials reported that the incident did not affect overall airport operations.
UPS confirmed that one of its aircraft was involved in a ground incident in Miami. The company said its crew members were safe and that it would cooperate with authorities to determine what happened.
The collision occurred a day after a nationwide FAA ground stop disrupted air travel across the United States. Communication problems affecting multiple air traffic control centres forced a temporary halt to departures, resulting in widespread delays and cancellations.
Although the two events occurred within a short period, authorities have not established any connection between the nationwide disruption and the Miami taxiway collision.
The FAA investigation will determine how the aircraft came into contact and whether further operational or procedural issues contributed to the incident.
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