Two United Airlines aircraft were involved in a collision on the ground at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on the afternoon of October 6, 2023. An arriving Boeing 737-700, carrying 113 passengers and five crew members, made contact with a stationary Boeing 767, which had no passengers onboard. The incident occurred as the 737 was taxiing to its arrival gate after a two-hour flight from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
The wing of the 737 struck the horizontal stabilizer of the 767, but initial inspections indicated no major damage to either aircraft. Nevertheless, data suggests that the 737 remains on the ground at O’Hare, nearly a day after the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Details of the Incident
According to CBS News, the mishap unfolded as the United flight was navigating O’Hare’s busy ramp area. Photographs shared on social media captured the 737’s wingtip lodged beneath the 767’s left horizontal stabilizer. Witnesses reported that the impact was light, with many passengers apparently unaware of what had transpired. One passenger, Bill Marcus, mentioned that while he did not feel the initial collision, there was a noticeable “shuddering” as the two aircraft separated.
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 the plane for nearly an hour before being allowed to disembark. Although the damage was noted as minor, the Boeing 737-700, registered as N21723, was still grounded as of October 7, 2023. This aircraft, which has been in service since 1999, can accommodate up to 126 passengers in two cabin classes.
Broader Context of Ground Incidents
The collision at O’Hare is part of a worrying trend involving ground incidents at major U.S. airports in 2023, raising concerns over safety standards amid ongoing air traffic controller shortages. The most recent incident prior to Friday’s collision occurred on October 1 at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), where two regional Delta jets collided at a taxiway intersection, resulting in injuries to a flight attendant.
In a similar vein, two United aircraft were involved in a minor collision at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in September, while another incident occurred in May involving two United 777s at the same airport. The increase in ground incidents coincides with significant staffing shortages at leading U.S. airports, prompting the FAA to target thousands of new hires over the next few years. Despite these efforts, staffing levels continue to lag behind expectations.
Chicago O’Hare, one of the busiest airports in the United States, also presents a complex operational environment, with eight active runways contributing to the challenges faced by ground staff and air traffic controllers. As investigations continue into the latest incident, the aviation industry remains under scrutiny regarding safety protocols and operational efficiency.
