United Airlines Planes Collide at Chicago O’Hare Airport

Two United Airlines aircraft collided on the ground at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on the afternoon of October 6, 2023. An arriving Boeing 737-700, carrying 113 passengers and five crew members, struck the horizontal stabilizer of a parked Boeing 767 while taxiing to its gate after a flight from Jackson Hole.

The incident occurred as the 737, which had just completed a two-hour and thirty-minute journey, maneuvered through O’Hare’s busy ramp area. Preliminary reports show that the wing of the 737 made contact with the stationary 767, which was unoccupied and had no passengers onboard. Despite the collision, a subsequent inspection revealed no significant damage to either aircraft. However, one of the jets remains on the ground in Chicago following the incident.

Details of the Incident

According to CBS News, the collision happened shortly after the 737 began its taxi towards the arrival gate. Eyewitness accounts describe the impact as light, with many passengers unaware of what transpired. Bill Marcus, a passenger on the flight, noted that while he did not feel the initial collision, there was a noticeable “shuddering” as the aircraft separated.

In a statement, United Airlines confirmed the incident, stating, “On Friday afternoon, UA2652 was taxiing to its arrival gate when it made contact with the horizontal stabilizer of another United aircraft. Passengers deplaned normally and no injuries were reported.”

Passengers remained on board the 737 for nearly an hour before being allowed to disembark. The aircraft involved, registered as N21723, is a 26-year-old Boeing 737-700 that was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in 1999 and became part of United Airlines’ fleet following a merger in 2010. This particular model can accommodate up to 126 passengers across two classes, with 12 seats in domestic first class and 114 in economy.

Safety Concerns and Recent Trends

While no injuries were reported in this incident, it raises concerns about safety at major US airports. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials have launched an investigation into the collision, which is part of a worrying trend involving ground incidents at airports across the country. Earlier in October, two regional jets operated by Delta Airlines collided at LaGuardia Airport, resulting in injuries when one aircraft’s wing struck another’s nose and cockpit.

Furthermore, the increase in ground collisions comes amid an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers, which has prompted the FAA to prioritize hiring thousands of new personnel over the next few years. Despite these efforts, staffing levels continue to lag behind established targets.

As one of the busiest airports in the United States, Chicago O’Hare presents a complex operational environment with eight active runways, contributing to the challenges faced by ground operations. The recent uptick in incidents highlights the need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in managing ground traffic in such busy air travel hubs.