A Copa Airlines passenger jet and a UPS cargo aircraft collided while taxiing at Miami International Airport on Saturday night, leaving two people with minor injuries.
The incident happened at about 9.15pm local time on November 14 at the intersection of two taxiways, according to airport officials. The Federal Aviation Administration said it was investigating.
The wingtip of the Copa Boeing 737 struck the nose of a UPS Boeing 767, the FAA said. The Copa aircraft had arrived from Panama City and was taxiing towards the terminal, while the UPS plane was preparing to depart for Bogotá, Colombia.
Copa Airlines said its aircraft was carrying 166 passengers and six crew members. Two passengers were assessed by airport paramedics for apparent minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.
The airline said all passengers had left the aircraft and that the remaining passengers and crew were in good condition.
FAA investigates Miami airport collision
Air traffic controllers had instructed the UPS crew to give way to the Copa flight, according to the FAA. Audio from the aftermath included one pilot saying: “Somebody hit us.”
Greg Chin, communications director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, said flights were redirected to other taxiways and that airport operations were not affected at the time.
UPS said its crew was safe and that it would work with authorities to establish what happened. Copa Airlines said it regretted any disruption caused to passengers and would co-operate with the investigation.
The collision occurred as Miami International Airport was already dealing with delays and cancellations following a nationwide US flight ground stop issued by the FAA on Friday.
