Two aircraft operated by Copa Airlines and United Parcel Service (UPS) have collided while taxiing on the tarmac at Miami International Airport in the United States, leaving two people with minor injuries.
The incident involved a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 and a UPS Boeing 767, which were moving on the airport’s taxiway after the former had landed and the latter was preparing for departure.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the collision occurred at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Saturday when the wingtip of the Copa Airlines aircraft struck the nose of the UPS plane.
In a statement, the FAA confirmed the incident, saying, “The wingtip of a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 struck the nose of a UPS Boeing 767 while the airplanes were taxiing.”
Greg Chin, the airport’s communications director, told CNN that two people sustained minor injuries and received treatment from fire and rescue personnel at the scene.
A passenger, identified as Ferreira, recounted the frightening experience, saying occupants felt the aircraft jerk sideways immediately after the collision.
“Inside the cabin, we felt the plane jerk abruptly sideways. At first, some passengers started freaking out, but the Copa crew reacted quickly, getting everyone to remain seated,” the passenger said.
The FAA disclosed that air traffic controllers had instructed the UPS crew to give way to the Copa Airlines aircraft before the collision.
The agency has since launched an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Recordings of radio communications between the pilots and air traffic controllers captured their exchanges shortly after the collision.
“Somebody hit us,” the Copa Airlines pilot reportedly said as the air traffic controller sought clarification from the UPS crew.
Responding, the UPS pilot said, “Yeah, we went too far, and then he, he clipped us with the wing.”
The Copa Airlines pilot later informed air traffic control that the aircraft appeared to have lost its left wingtip.
Ferreira also disclosed that the captain addressed passengers approximately 10 minutes after the incident, assuring them that there was no immediate danger and that a tug would be brought in to move the aircraft.
Copa Airlines subsequently confirmed that all 166 passengers and six crew members had safely disembarked from the aircraft, which was later moved back to the terminal.
Photographs of the UPS aircraft showed significant damage to its nose section, including crumpled portions and a large hole in the outer panels.
The Copa Airlines flight had arrived in Miami from Panama City, Panama, while the UPS aircraft was preparing to depart for Bogotá, Colombia, when the collision occurred.
In its reaction, UPS confirmed that its crew members were safe and expressed its commitment to cooperating with the relevant authorities.
The company stated that it was “committed to working with authorities to determine what happened.”
Copa Airlines also apologised for the disruption caused to passengers, stressing that the safety of its passengers and crew remained its highest priority. The airline pledged to cooperate fully with investigators.
The collision occurred amid continuing flight disruptions at airports across the United States following an FAA ground stop on Friday, which triggered widespread cancellations and delays.
Some stranded travellers reportedly spent the night on airport terminal floors while waiting for alternative flight arrangements.
