A pair of Delta Connection Canadair CRJ regional jets have suffered a ground collision while taxying at New York-La Guardia Airport. The incident, which happened at around 21:56, occurred while the airfield was operating in darkness.
According to early reports, both aircraft were mobile at the time of the incident. Delta Connection flight DL5047, operated by an Endeavor Air CRJ registered as N480PX, had just landed from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) at 21:53 and was taxying to its allocated parking stand. Meanwhile, another Endeavor-operated CRJ was operating DL5714 to Roanoke, Virginia, and was maneuvering on the apron, preparing to depart.
According to preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports, the right wing of DL5714 struck the nose section of DL5047. The impact severed portions of the wing assembly of the first jet while causing major damage to the forward fuselage of the second aircraft.
https://t.co/UexRGeaX3o pic.twitter.com/zzVV5MyCid
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) October 2, 2025
While no passengers were injured as a result of the collision, one cabin crew member sustained minor injuries and received on-site medical attention before being transported to a local medical facility.
Eyewitness accounts quickly appeared on social media, including one from a CBS News producer who was aboard DL5047. They reported experiencing a sudden jolt after landing – “We’d just landed and were taxiing to the gate when struck by another Delta regional jet,” they said, according to CBS News.
Another passenger told the outlet that the Charlotte flight made a hard landing and veered quickly off the runway as the pilot applied the brakes, which coincided with the collision.
Following the collision, the crew of DL5047 reported a compromised windshield, prompting an immediate halt to its taxying and causing the cancellation of the flight itself. Passengers disembarked via the forward stairs and were transported back to the terminal building. Visibility was reported to be fair at the time of the incident, with no adverse weather noted at the airport at the time.
Details confirmed by Delta
Delta Air Lines confirmed the incident via social media, stating: “We are working closely with authorities to understand what happened. Delta will work with all relevant authorities to review what occurred, as the safety of our customers and people comes before all else. We apologise to our customers for the experience.”
New York Port Authority Police and Airport Emergency Services responded within minutes to the collision. The airport fire services also scanned for fuel leaks from the ruptured wing, but none were detected.
The FAA, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Port Authority have since launched a joint investigation into the collision. Early indicators point to a taxiing miscommunication, possibly involving progressive taxi instructions from the ground controller to the crews of both jets.
#Now #US Two @Delta regional jets have collided while taxiing at #LGA La Guardia airport in #NewYork. No casualties reported so far. Developing… pic.twitter.com/HGZiXheNbF
— Mexico Times (@mexicotimes) October 2, 2025
Both aircraft were operated by the same company, Endeavor Air, that operates under the Delta Connection brand. It was this carrier that operated another CRJ that crashed upon landing in Toronto in January 2025, substantially damaging that aircraft beyond repair. Both aircraft in this latest incident remain on the ground in LA Guardia, awaiting further damage assessment.
The incident came just hours after more than 50 industry and labour groups, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), warned that a potential US government shutdown could worsen aviation staffing shortages and delay training for air traffic controllers.
It also adds to a string of recent mishaps at LaGuardia. In March 2025, a Delta jet’s wing clipped the runway during a landing attempt, forcing a go-around and triggering a separate FAA investigation.
