Los Angeles – A Delta Air Lines jet and an Air Canada plane collided on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday morning, officials said. The incident occurred as the Delta flight was taxiing away from its gate to head toward the runway, while the Air Canada aircraft was completing its arrival from Toronto.

What happened

According to Air Canada, the Canadian plane had just landed when a departing Delta aircraft clipped it. A portion of the Delta plane’s winglet – the curved tip at the end of the wing – was torn off and became lodged inside the stabilizer of the Air Canada aircraft. Both aircraft were subsequently removed from service for inspection.

Passenger accounts and official response

One Delta passenger told Eyewitness News that the aircraft was pulling away from the gate when the Air Canada plane appeared to move into its path. “While taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport, a Delta aircraft made contact with an Air Canada aircraft,” a Delta spokesperson said in a statement. “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.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified of the collision and will conduct a full investigation.

Impact on travelers

The Delta flight was carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members. It was not immediately clear whether any passengers were aboard the Air Canada plane at the time of the collision. Airport officials said operations at LAX continued as normal, though some delays were expected while the two aircraft were cleared from the runway area.

There were no reports of injuries to passengers, crew, or ground personnel. Both airlines are working to rebook affected travelers and provide assistance as needed.

Safety context

Airports across the nation routinely handle thousands of movements each day, and collisions on the ground are rare. When they do occur, they are investigated thoroughly to determine whether procedural changes or additional training are required. The prompt response by LAX staff and the swift removal of the aircraft from service demonstrate a commitment to safety that aligns with the expectations of travelers and the aviation community.

As the investigation proceeds, the FAA and NTSB will release findings that may influence future ground‑movement protocols at LAX and other busy hubs.

Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.