On a typically busy day at Boston Logan International Airport, two aircraft from American Airlines and Frontier Airlines were involved in a wing collision at the gate, raising alarms but fortunately resulting in no injuries. The incident occurred around noon on November 25, 2024, during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year as passengers geared up for the Thanksgiving holiday.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the collision happened when an American Airlines Boeing 777, which had just arrived from London, clipped the wingtip of a parked Frontier Airlines Airbus A321. The FAA confirmed the contact occurred under tow, emphasizing the incident took place outside air traffic control oversight. “The incident occurred in an area that's not under air traffic control,” the FAA noted.
Massport, which oversees Boston Logan, quickly responded to the scene, where both aircraft were checked for structural damage. Initial reports indicated visible damage, particularly on the American Airlines plane, where video footage revealed what appeared to be a hole near its wing. Despite the potential severity of such collisions, Massport stated, “This incident was minor and occurred at a slow rate of speed.”
Eyewitness accounts from passengers onboard the Frontier flight described the frightening moment the planes struck. Evelyn Pipione recalled the sudden jolt, saying, "It was terrible. It was very scary, all of a sudden - thump. It sounded like something fell from below." Another passenger, April O’Brien, added, “You bounce back and forth and then I looked out the window; it was right out my side of the window and I saw the wing hit our wing.”
Passengers onboard Frontier Flight 3601, which was set to depart to Dallas-Fort Worth, were understandably shaken but received prompt attention. Frontier Airlines confirmed there were no injuries among the 200 passengers and crew. Following the incident, passengers had the option to request refunds, rebook flights, and even receive a $100 travel credit for future itineraries.
After the incident, American Airlines issued their remorse, acknowledging the inconvenience caused. A spokesperson said, “American Airlines flight 109 made contact with a nearby parked aircraft. There were no reported injuries, and customers deplaned the aircraft shortly after. The aircraft has been removed from service for inspection by our maintenance team.”
One can only wonder about the heightened tensions surrounding air travel. This collision adds to Logan Airport’s history of minor incidents, where previous collisions have occurred, though without serious results. For example, earlier this year, JetBlue planes made contact during de-icing. Similarly, there have been instances involving United and Delta flights, all of which have gone uninjured but highlighted the potential hazards on busy airport tarmacs.
With Thanksgiving travel expected to bring over 1.2 million passengers through Logan Airport, safety remains the top priority. Airports are known for their hustle and bustle, but with events like this serving as reminders of the risks involved, there’s always room for improvement. The FAA is now investigating, which might spark discussions about safety protocol and the procedural measures airlines employ when maneuvering on the tarmac.
Passengers from both flights expressed frustration and anxiety over the potential delays this incident could cause, especially with holidays looming. O'Brien emphasized the emotional weight of missing out, saying, “It's horrible because my sister-in-law has stage four cancer, so we're trying to get to see her. Now we can't, so it's very sad.”
Although the respective airlines have assured their passengers of no injuries and minimal disruption, incidents like these naturally stir worries about safety within the aviation industry. Travelers now find themselves left to wonder what protocols are being reviewed and revised to prevent such occurrences from happening again.
