Delta CRJ Returns to the Skies After Tail Damage in Atlanta Collision

A Delta Air Lines (Delta Connection) Canadair CRJ-900LR, which faced a significant tail loss due to a collision at Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport (ATL) in September 2024, has once again taken to the skies. This aircraft underwent an extensive year-long reconstruction to replace its vertical stabilizer after the incident.

The CRJ, operated by Endeavor Air for Delta Connection, was nearly scrapped following the collision with a Delta Airbus A350-900. However, further evaluations led the airline to decide on repairs instead of declaring the aircraft a total loss.

The incident occurred on September 10, 2024. At that time, the CRJ was awaiting departure to Lafayette (LFT) while the A350 was preparing for a scheduled flight (DL295) to Tokyo. During taxiing, the Airbus’s wing tip struck the tail of the CRJ, resulting in a major structural failure. The tail section was completely severed, leaving it isolated on the tarmac.

On that day, the A350 was carrying 221 passengers, while the CRJ had 53 on its way to Lafayette, Louisiana. Fortunately, there were no injuries among passengers, though both flights were canceled and the A350 sustained wing-tip damage. Only one flight attendant incurred minor injuries from the collision.

Two Delta Airlines aircraft were involved in a collision on the taxiway at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.

A Delta airlines Airbus A350-941 aircraft (N503DN) clips vertical stabilizer off the Delta Connection Bombardier CRJ-900LR plane (N302PQ),… pic.twitter.com/lscFm6T7vu

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 10, 2024

After a year of careful reconstruction in a dedicated hangar, the aircraft is back in operational status. Delta’s engineers meticulously worked on rebuilding the jet instead of considering it a write-off, showcasing the airline’s commitment to fleet sustainability while likely incurring significant costs for the insurers.

This decision reflects a broader industry trend aimed at maximizing aircraft lifespans by leveraging advanced repair technologies now available to aircraft mechanics. Delta noted that the aircraft could have over two decades of service life remaining if restored correctly.

Engineers not only removed the damaged vertical stabilizer but also installed a brand new tail section. After comprehensive airframe and systems inspections, the aircraft was recertified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to FLightradar24, the rebuilt aircraft took its first flight with the new tail on September 20, 2025. It conducted a test flight as EDV5558, lasting one hour and 38 minutes. After the flight was successful on September 24, the aircraft was relocated from Atlanta to Macon-Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN) for final preparations before reentering service with Endeavor Air.

Aviation photographer Brian Uretsky shared the first images of the repaired aircraft in operation. Notably, the new tail was still unpainted at the time of the photo, likely necessitating the transfer to Macon for painting work.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary findings revealed that the CRJ had stopped about 56 feet (17 meters) short of the runway threshold, which is closer than the standard holding position requires. The Airbus A350’s captain, distracted by maneuvering traffic, failed to spot the CRJ on his right, leading to the tail strike incident.

Delta Air Lines and its partner Endeavor Air are undoubtedly relieved to have one of their injured CRJs back in operation. In January 2025, the airline lost another aircraft entirely due to a landing accident in Toronto, resulting in that airplane being written off. Recently, on October 2, 2025, two more Endeavor Air CRJs suffered considerable damage in a taxiway collision at New York-LaGuardia Airport, with damage assessments for those aircraft still ongoing.