Cargo Boeing UPS and Copa Airlines passenger jet collide on taxiway in Miami

Incident on Miami airport taxiways

A collision between two aircraft was recorded at Miami International Airport: a UPS cargo Boeing 767 and a Copa Airlines passenger Boeing 737. ABC News reports.

According to Greg Chin, the airport’s communications director, the incident occurred on 14 November at approximately 21:15 at the intersection of two taxiways. At the time of the event, Copa Airlines Flight 427 had arrived in Miami from Panama, while UPS cargo flight 358 was preparing for departure to Bogotá.

Circumstances of the collision

Preliminary data from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicates that during taxiing, the wing of the passenger aircraft struck the nose section of the cargo plane. Controllers had previously instructed the UPS crew to yield to the Copa Airlines aircraft. However, as ABC News notes, the UPS crew later acknowledged that their aircraft continued moving further than authorised.

Audio recordings of communications with controllers capture a message from the Copa Airlines pilot regarding the incident: “Хтось у нас врізався” (Someone hit us).

Condition of the injured and company response

Medical services examined two individuals who sustained minor injuries and provided them with assistance directly at the scene. It was not necessary to transport the injured to hospital. Despite the accident, the airport continued to operate in normal mode, and other flights were rerouted to adjacent taxiways, which did not affect the overall operation of the airfield.

UPS also confirmed the incident and assured that the cargo aircraft crew is safe.

“We are aware of the ground incident in Miami involving one of our aircraft. Our crew is safe, and we are ready to cooperate with the relevant authorities to determine the circumstances of the event. The safety of our employees and the public is our highest priority,” the company stated in an official statement.

The US Federal Aviation Administration continues to investigate the circumstances of the collision.