Full Breakdown
Delta and Air Canada Aircraft Clip on LAX Taxiway
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
Around 10:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-900 (Delta Flight 7) taxiing for departure at Los Angeles International Airport made contact with the tail of an Air Canada Boeing 777 (Air Canada Flight 785) that was being towed toward its gate after arriving from Toronto. The Delta aircraft’s left wingtip struck the Air Canada plane’s horizontal stabilizer, a wing-like structure at the tail. No injuries were reported, and airport firefighters found no immediate safety hazards. Both airlines removed the affected aircraft from service for inspection and repairs while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opened an investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also been notified and will participate in the probe.
Aircraft and Passenger Details
- Delta Flight 7 – Airbus A350-900, scheduled for a Tokyo departure, carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members.
- Air Canada Flight 785 – Boeing 777, arriving from Toronto, being towed to its gate at the time of the collision.
Official Statements & Responses
Delta emphasized passenger safety, stating that the airline is cooperating with federal investigators and working to accommodate affected travelers. Air Canada confirmed that its aircraft will undergo inspection and repairs before returning to service. The FAA announced that it is leading the investigation into the taxiway incident, while the NTSB will also examine the cause. Both airlines indicated that normal operations at LAX continued after the event.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, and we apologize to our customers for the experience and delay in their travels,” — Delta
- “An aircraft operated by another airline made contact with its tail,” — Air Canada
- “We are aware of an incident involving a Delta Air Lines aircraft and an Air Canada aircraft on a taxiway at LAX, not a runway,” — Delta
- “Passengers with questions about their travel should contact Delta Air Lines or Air Canada,” — Delta
Investigation and Future Actions
The FAA’s Public Affairs office confirmed that the agency is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the taxiway contact. The NTSB has been notified and will conduct a separate investigation to determine any contributing factors, such as ground-crew communication or aircraft positioning. Findings from both investigations are expected to inform future taxiway safety protocols at major U.S. airports.
Why It Matters
Although the collision caused only minor structural damage and no injuries, the incident highlights the importance of precise ground-operations coordination, especially at busy hubs like LAX. The FAA and NTSB investigations may lead to revised procedures for aircraft towing and taxiing, aiming to reduce the risk of similar events. Passengers affected by the delay have been directed to contact the airlines for assistance, underscoring the operational impact of even low-severity ground incidents on airline schedules and customer experience.