AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 15, 2026
Taxiing Planes Collide at Miami International Airport
On Saturday night, two taxiing aircraft collided at Miami International Airport, resulting in minor injuries to two people. The incident involved a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 and a UPS Boeing 767. According to statements from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the airlines involved, the collision occurred at approximately 9 p.m. ET.
Details of the Collision
The FAA reported that the wingtip of the Copa Airlines jet struck the nose of the UPS plane as both were taxiing on the tarmac. At the time of the incident, the Copa flight was making its way to a gate, while the UPS aircraft was preparing to depart for Bogota, Colombia.
Passengers, Crew, and Immediate Response
Copa Airlines confirmed that there were six crew members and 166 passengers aboard their flight during the collision. Greg Chin, a spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, stated that two people sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the scene. Neither individual was hospitalized following the incident.
Statements from Authorities and Airlines
The FAA noted that air traffic controllers had instructed the UPS crew to give way to the Copa jet. UPS acknowledged the incident in a statement, saying it is working with authorities to determine the cause. The company emphasized that the safety of its employees and the public remains its highest priority.
Context: Recent Nationwide Flight Delays
The collision occurred one day after a rare nationwide ground stop imposed by the FAA due to a significant air traffic control telecommunication issue. That ground stop, reportedly triggered by a router problem during routine maintenance, lasted more than four hours and resulted in thousands of flight cancellations and delays nationwide. By 10:20 a.m. ET Sunday, there were 1,583 U.S. flight cancellations and nearly 3,000 additional flight delays, according to official data.
Recent Aviation Safety Concerns
Last year, aviation safety drew national attention when a UPS cargo plane crashed outside Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky, resulting in 15 fatalities.
Investigation and Next Steps
Authorities continue to investigate Saturday night's collision at Miami International Airport. UPS and Copa Airlines have pledged to cooperate fully as the FAA reviews exactly what happened during the taxiing procedures on the tarmac.
Source: nbcnews.com.
