UPS and Copa Planes Collide at Miami Airport: FAA Investigates
A UPS cargo jet and a Copa Airlines passenger plane collided while taxiing at Miami airport on Saturday night, leaving two people hurt as the FAA investigates.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / FunctioningMemberOfSociety
MIAMI — A UPS cargo jet and a Copa Airlines passenger plane collided while taxiing at Miami International Airport on Saturday night, damaging both aircraft and leaving two people with minor injuries, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The collision happened at about 9:15 p.m. Eastern time at the intersection of two taxiways, a day after a nationwide ground stop halted US departures.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the wingtip of the Copa Airlines Boeing 737 struck the nose of the UPS Boeing 767 while both aircraft were moving on the ground. Air traffic controllers had told the UPS crew to give way to the Copa flight, the agency said. In air traffic control audio, the UPS crew can be heard telling controllers, "Yeah, we went too far," after being asked if it had hit the other plane.
Key Takeaways
- UPS Flight 358, a Boeing 767 freighter bound for Bogotá, collided with Copa Airlines Flight 427, a Boeing 737 that had just arrived from Panama City.
- Two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and neither needed hospital transport, according to Miami International Airport.
- All 166 passengers and six crew aboard the Copa flight disembarked safely, and the aircraft returned to the terminal.
- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating; airport operations were not affected.
What Happened at Miami Airport on Saturday Night
Copa Airlines Flight 427 had just landed from Panama City and was taxiing to the terminal when it met UPS Flight 358, taxiing from the cargo ramp for departure to Bogotá. They met at the intersection of two taxiways. The Copa jet's left wingtip struck the nose of the UPS freighter, and debris from the wing fell onto the taxiway.
Fire crews checked both aircraft for fuel leaks. None were found, and both aircraft were to be towed. Airport communications director Greg Chin said an arriving aircraft and a departing aircraft "made contact" at the intersection of two taxiways. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue treated two people at the scene for minor injuries. Neither needed to go to a hospital.
Why the FAA Is Investigating the Miami Taxiway Collision
The Federal Aviation Administration said air traffic controllers had told the UPS crew to give way to the Copa flight before the collision. The agency is investigating and has not given an official cause. UPS said it was "committed to working with authorities to determine what happened" and that its crew was safe.
Miami Collision Comes a Day After the FAA Ground Stop
The collision came as airports worked to restore normal operations after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop on Friday, November 13. The stop halted departures for more than four hours after a communications failure at air traffic control centres. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the failure occurred during telecommunications maintenance involving contractor L3Harris.
About 9,200 flights were cancelled on Friday and 7,500 more delayed. On Saturday, more than 6,400 flights were cancelled and over 8,000 delayed by 9:35 p.m. Eastern time, with a further 875 flights scheduled for Sunday already cancelled. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford said airlines expected full schedules by the close of business on Sunday, as flight cuts remained in place while schedules recovered.
| When | Event | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Nov 13, afternoon | FAA orders nationwide ground stop | Departures halted 4+ hours |
| Saturday, Nov 14 | Disruption continues into the weekend | 6,400+ cancelled; 8,000+ delayed |
| Saturday, Nov 14, 9:15 p.m. ET | UPS 767 and Copa 737 collide at Miami | 2 minor injuries; FAA investigating |
| Sunday, Nov 15 | Recovery expected | Full schedules expected by end of day |
Frequently Asked Questions
Were there any injuries in the Miami airport plane collision?
Two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and neither needed hospital transport, the airport said. No one aboard the Copa flight was hurt.
Which flights were involved in the Miami airport collision?
UPS Flight 358, a Boeing 767 freighter leaving Miami for Bogotá, and Copa Airlines Flight 427, a Boeing 737 that had arrived from Panama City.
Is Miami International Airport open after the plane collision?
Yes. The airport said operations were not affected, with aircraft directed along other taxiways while the two aircraft were checked and towed.
What caused the UPS and Copa planes to collide at Miami airport?
The cause has not been established. The Federal Aviation Administration said controllers had told the UPS crew to give way to the Copa flight, and it is investigating.
The Federal Aviation Administration has not said when its investigation will conclude.
