On Wednesday morning, chaos erupted at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) when a Japan Airlines plane, taxiing on the tarmac, clipped the tail of a parked Delta Air Lines aircraft. The incident, which occurred around 10:17 AM local time, involved Japan Airlines Flight 68 and Delta Air Lines Flight 1921.
Airport officials report no injuries stemming from the incident, allowing passengers from both flights to deplane safely. Delta's Boeing 737 was preparing for departure to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, when the collision occurred, according to Samantha Moore Facteau, Delta's spokesperson. She stated the plane was waiting to have ice removed from its exterior at the time of the impact.
Eyewitness accounts painted vivid pictures of the moments following the collision. Jason Chan, who was aboard the Delta flight, described how the plane “jiggled back and forth” during the incident. The captain later announced, “The plane's tail had been hit,” prompting passengers to remain calm as they disembarked and were bused back to the terminal.
Officials confirmed the incident took place near the S Concourse and the south airport maintenance hangars. SEA later stated on social media, "An inbound Japan Airlines aircraft appears to have struck the tail of a parked Delta Air Lines aircraft on the ramp on a taxi line." The collision sparked investigations from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Delta Air Lines reported they will work with aviation stakeholders to assess the situation thoroughly. At the time of the collision, 142 passengers were on the Delta flight, and the crew reported no injuries. The passengers were later transferred to another aircraft to continue their travel plans.
Photos shared on social media depicted the aftermath of the collision, showing the wing of the Japan Airlines jet making contact with the rear of the Delta aircraft. Observers noted significant damage, particularly to the tail of the Delta plane. The Port of Seattle confirmed minimal disruption to airport operations, as the incident occurred on a taxi lane rather than affecting gate operations.
Passengers aboard Japan Airlines Flight 68 had landed at SEA after a lengthy flight from Tokyo. They remained unimpacted by the incident, awaiting updates from the airline. Reports indicated the Japan Airlines flight was also scheduled for later travel to Tokyo Narita and was temporarily delayed due to the operational adjustments necessitated by the collision.
This incident brings to light renewed concerns over air travel safety, particularly following several recent high-profile aviation accidents across the country. The FAA noted its preliminary investigation and confirmed temporary pauses on some flights at SEA pending their inquiry.
Both airlines have publicly apologized for the inconvenience incurred by the incident. Delta, acknowledging the unexpected experience brought to its passengers, stated, "We apologize for the experience and delay in travels." It remains unclear what directly led to the collision, as the area where the incident took place is typically not under air traffic control, adding complexity to the investigations.
The situation was exacerbated by severe winter weather conditions affecting operations, which were already leading to delays and cancellations throughout the airport. By early afternoon, airport authorities reported numerous flight delays, placing additional stress on passengers already facing uncertainties due to the incident.
Passenger reactions were varied; many remained composed during the incident, whereas others expressed disbelief and shock. “It felt like the pilot had hit the brakes really hard,” remarked one passenger, illustrating the suddenness of the event. Despite their initial alarms, most passengers, like Brett Powers, remained unharmed and did not appear to panic.
Airport officials were quick to respond with safety protocols, ensuring everybody was accounted for and smoothly transitioned back to the terminal. The investigation by both the FAA and NTSB is expected to shed light on the circumstances leading to the collision and whether operational mishaps contributed.
Overall, the collision at SEA is yet another reminder of the many moving parts inherent to air travel and the necessity for diligence as flight operations continue to recover from capacity limitations. This developing story will continue to be monitored for updates as officials strive to clarify what transpired on the busy runway.