Delta Connection CRJs Collide on Ground at LaGuardia Airport in New York

Two Delta Connection Canadair CRJ regional jets were involved in a ground collision while taxiing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The incident occurred around 21:56, in low-light conditions.

As per initial reports, both aircraft were in motion during the collision. Delta Connection flight DL5047, operated by Endeavor Air with the registration N480PX, had just arrived from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) at 21:53 and was taxiing to its designated parking area. Simultaneously, another Endeavor-operated CRJ was preparing for departure on flight DL5714 to Roanoke, Virginia.

Preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicates that the right wing of DL5714 collided with the nose of DL5047. This impact resulted in significant damage to both the wing assembly of the first jet and the forward fuselage of the second jet.

https://t.co/UexRGeaX3o pic.twitter.com/zzVV5MyCid

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) October 2, 2025

Fortunately, there were no injuries among passengers; however, one crew member experienced minor injuries and received medical attention on-site before being taken to a nearby facility.

Social media quickly filled with eyewitness accounts, including a producer from CBS News who was on board DL5047. They described feeling a sudden jolt after landing, stating, “We’d just landed and were taxiing to the gate when struck by another Delta regional jet.”

Another passenger recounted that the flight from Charlotte had made a hard landing and swerved off the runway as the pilot engaged the brakes, just as the collision happened.

After the incident, the crew of DL5047 reported damage to the windshield, prompting an immediate cessation of taxiing operations and leading to the cancellation of the flight. Passengers exited the aircraft via the front stairs and were taken back to the terminal. Visibility at the airport was fair, with no adverse weather conditions reported at that time.

Details Confirmed by Delta

Delta Air Lines acknowledged the situation via their social media channels, stating, “We are working closely with authorities to understand what happened. The safety of our customers and staff is our priority. We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers.”

The New York Port Authority Police and Airport Emergency Services promptly responded to the collision. Airport fire services conducted inspections for any fuel leaks from the damaged wing, finding none.

A joint investigation by the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Port Authority has been initiated. Early assessments suggest that a miscommunication during taxiing could have contributed to the incident, potentially related to instructions from the ground controller to both aircraft crews.

#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 jets are operated by Endeavor Air and were involved in a previous incident in January 2025 when another CRJ crashed during landing in Toronto, resulting in its total loss. Currently, both aircraft involved in this collision remain grounded at LaGuardia as further assessments are conducted.

This incident occurred shortly after over 50 industry and labor groups, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA), expressed concerns that a potential U.S. government shutdown could exacerbate staffing shortages in aviation, delaying essential training for air traffic controllers.

The occurrence adds to a concerning pattern of recent incidents at LaGuardia. In March 2025, a Delta jet’s wing clipped the runway during a landing attempt, which also led to an FAA investigation.