A UPS cargo aircraft struck a passenger jet carrying 172 people during ground operations at Miami International Airport Saturday night, marking another close call in America’s busy aviation system as officials work to restore normal flight operations nationwide.
Details of the Collision
The incident occurred around 9:15 p.m. when a UPS Boeing 767 cargo plane made contact with the left wingtip of a Boeing 737 operated by a passenger airline arriving from Panama City, Panama. Both aircraft were taxiing at the intersection of two taxiways when the collision happened. The passenger flight had landed approximately 15 minutes earlier and was heading toward the terminal with 166 passengers and six crew members aboard.
Airport communications director Greg Chin confirmed no serious injuries resulted from the incident. Two passengers received evaluations from airport paramedics for apparent minor injuries but did not require hospital transport. All remaining passengers and crew members were reported in good condition. The aircraft successfully reached the terminal gate, where all passengers deplaned normally.
Newly released air traffic control audio captures the tense aftermath of a collision between a Copa Airlines passenger jet and a UPS cargo plane at Miami International Airport, leaving two people injured.
The FAA says controllers had instructed the UPS crew
Airport Operations Continue
Miami International Airport officials redirected flights to alternate taxiways following the collision, allowing normal operations to continue without significant disruption. The UPS flight had been scheduled to depart for Bogota, Colombia, before the incident occurred. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene as a precautionary measure. Airport authorities are investigating how both aircraft came to occupy the same intersection simultaneously during taxiing operations.
Aviation System Under Pressure
The collision comes as federal aviation officials work to normalize flight schedules across the country. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged Friday night that restoring regular operations would require time as airlines reposition aircraft and crews. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated Saturday that U.S. flight schedules were expected to return to normal by Sunday evening. The passenger airline issued a statement emphasizing passenger and crew safety as their top priority and pledged full cooperation with investigating authorities.
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in managing ground traffic at major American airports, where hundreds of aircraft movements occur daily. Federal investigators will examine communications between air traffic controllers and both flight crews, along with taxiway markings and lighting conditions at the time of the collision.