Two Delta planes collide ripping off wing while taxiing at LaGuardia

This recording captures a ground collision between two regional jets at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), an airfield notorious for its congested taxiways and tight operating environment. The incident involved two Bombardier CRJ aircraft operated by Endeavor Air. The collision occurred on taxiway Mike, a primary artery for aircraft heading toward Runway 12.

The exchange begins with routine taxi instructions before Endeavor 5047 abruptly requests "trucks on Mike." When prompted for clarification, the pilot calmly informs Ground Control that two aircraft have collided. The damage described is more significant than a typical wingtip-to-wingtip "fender bender"; the wing of Endeavor 5155 struck the nose and cockpit area of Endeavor 5047. This type of impact is particularly hazardous as it affects the structural integrity of the flight deck and critical avionics.

From an aviation perspective, the recording highlights the professional "sterile" communication used during emergencies. Despite the shock of a collision, both the pilots and the controller maintain a steady tone, focusing on immediate needs: shutting down engines to prevent further hazard, assessing injuries, and coordinating with Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) units. A notable moment occurs when Rescue 7 refers to the aircraft as an "Embraer," despite the pilot identifying it as a CRJ—a common minor discrepancy in the heat of an emergency response.

The significance of this event lies in its impact on airport operations and safety protocols. Ground collisions at major hubs like LGA cause massive ripple effects in scheduling and highlight the constant risks of "close-quarters" taxiing. While the physical injury was limited to a flight attendant's knee, the mechanical damage necessitated the removal of both aircraft from service and a likely investigation into taxiway clearances and pilot situational awareness.