2 passenger jets collide in New York amid government shutdown, 1 hurt

Two Delta jets collided on the taxiway early on Thursday morning at New York's LaGuardia Airport, highlighting a rare but serious incident in aviation safety.

This event occurred amidst a government shutdown, raising questions about the impact on air traffic control operations, as controllers are not being paid.

At least one person was injured, US media reported.

A video shows people getting out of one of the aircraft. The planes were travelling a slow speeds when the incident occured.

The incident is part of a broader context of recent aviation mishaps, including a Potomac River mid-air collision involving a Bombardier CRJ series aircraft, indicating a concerning trend.

Damage

The reported damage to one jet's wing underscores the potential for significant structural failure during ground operations, a critical area of focus for aviation safety protocols.

LaGuardia, being the second-busiest airport in New York City, amplifies the significance of such incidents due to high traffic volume and complexity.

The preliminary investigation into a similar recent crash involving a Delta Connection flight revealed issues with landing gear, suggesting possible systemic concerns in aircraft maintenance or operation.

In October, two Delta planes also collided at Atlanta airport due to miscommunication and maintenance issue, as per the US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB).