Delta CRJ900 Collision at LaGuardia Under NTSB Investigation

(NEW YORK, NY, USA) Two Delta CRJ900s operating as Delta Connection flights made contact while taxiing at LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, just before 22:00 local time, in a low-speed collision that damaged both jets and left one flight attendant with a minor injury.

The incident occurred at the intersection of two taxiways when the right wing of one aircraft struck the nose and cockpit of the other, shattering cockpit windows and gouging the fuselage. No passengers were injured, and all were bussed back to the terminal for care and rebooking.

Aircraft, Flights, and Immediate Response

• Both aircraft were operated by Endeavor Air, a wholly owned Delta subsidiary.
• Flight DL5155 (registration N9002XJ) was taxiing for departure to Roanoke, Virginia.
• Flight DL5047 (registration N480PX) had just arrived from Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to recorded radio exchanges cited in initial summaries, air traffic control instructed DL5155 to “hold short and yield to the other aircraft.” DL5155 did not stop in time, and its right wing was torn off in the impact, which then struck the nose and cockpit area of DL5047. The cockpit windows on DL5047 shattered, and the nose suffered deep damage.

Delta said customers were escorted back to the terminal by bus and received food, beverages, hotel rooms, and help with new itineraries. A flight attendant suffered a minor knee injury and was treated at a hospital. Passengers reported a jolt but no smoke or fire. One traveler’s video suggested one jet was moving faster than expected for a taxiway turn, though officials have not released any taxi speed data. The airline apologized to affected customers and pledged to assist with onward travel.

Investigative Response

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a 10-person team to New York and recovered both flight recorders for analysis. The team, working alongside the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is focusing on:

• Taxi instructions and their clarity (especially the “hold short” instruction to DL5155)
• Crew situational awareness and any cockpit workload or distractions
• Nighttime visibility and sight lines at the taxiway intersection

Officials have not disclosed the exact taxi speed at the time of collision, noting that is part of the ongoing inquiry. Both aircraft are expected to remain out of service for weeks for repairs, according to initial assessments.

Investigators will review cockpit voice and flight data recorders, compare timelines, and map ground-track positions to understand the sequence leading to the contact.

Investigation Focus and Safety Systems

Aviation safety specialists emphasize that, while controllers provide sequencing, pilots are responsible for safe movement on the ground, including maintaining safe wingtip clearance. That judgment can be difficult at night—even at an airport with strong lighting.

Key focal areas for the NTSB and FAA include:

• The clarity of the “hold short” instruction and the crew’s acknowledgement/readback
• Cockpit workload and any possible distractions or fatigue
• Visibility across the taxiway intersection at night
• Whether any ground surveillance alerts (from advanced surface radar and movement-monitoring tools at LaGuardia) were triggered or relevant

Investigators will also inspect:

• Sight lines from both cockpits
• Airport lighting and markings at the intersection
• Ground-track reconstructions of each aircraft’s path
• Crew rest, recent duty times, and dispatch notes

These steps could lead to recommendations on taxi procedures, crew callouts, or airport signage if contributory factors are identified.

Early Analysis and Agency Roles

• Early commentary from VisaVerge.com suggests a classic ground-incursion scenario in which one aircraft failed to stop despite a clear instruction to yield.
• Final determinations, however, rest with the NTSB, which will review transcripts, recorder data, and physical evidence.
• The FAA will evaluate any needed airfield or procedural updates once the investigation confirms the chain of events.

Impact on Travelers and Operations

As of October 11, 2025, both jets remain grounded; repairs are expected to take weeks due to:

• The broken wing on DL5155
• The shattered cockpit area on DL5047

Delta and Endeavor Air are cooperating fully with federal investigators and assisting customers affected by cancellations or delays tied to aircraft availability. Officials said there were no further injuries and no broader operational disruptions at LaGuardia connected to this incident.

Operational considerations:

• Regional jets like the CRJ900 serve frequent short-haul routes; losing two frames can strain evening schedules.
• Delta offered hotel rooms and rebooking support to passengers from both flights.

Safety Context and Lessons

• Taxiway incidents are rare relative to total operations, especially at major airports with layered controls, but this case highlights how quickly routine taxiing can become serious if spacing breaks down.
• Key safety principles emphasized by experts and trainers:
  • Slow, steady taxiing, especially at night and in tight areas
  • Clear communication and assertive braking if there is any doubt about clearance
  • Use ground control or marshallers for assistance when uncertain

Airport technology (ground radar, movement monitoring) aids controllers but does not replace crew judgment about wingtip clearance. Investigators will pay close attention to:

• Geometry of the turn
• Speed before the intersection
• Visual cues available to crews

Even low-speed contact can cause major damage to wing structures and cockpit glass.

What Investigators Will Rely On

• Cockpit voice recorders to confirm if the “hold short” instruction was heard and read back
• Flight data recorders for ground speed, brake pressure, and other parameters
• Passenger videos and witness accounts (helpful, but recorders carry more weight)
• Timeline reconstruction to the second

The NTSB’s on-scene work and potential recommendations are intended to prevent repeats at LaGuardia or other busy airports. The agency’s aviation investigations process is described on its official page at the National Transportation Safety Board aviation investigations: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/aviation.aspx.

For now, the NTSB and FAA stress that the cause has not been determined. Delta has apologized, is working on repairs and customer recovery, and officials emphasize restraint while the investigation proceeds.