United Airlines Planes Collide on Ground at O’Hare Airport

Two United Airlines aircraft were involved in a ground collision at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on October 6, 2023. An arriving Boeing 737-700, carrying 113 passengers and five crew members, struck the horizontal stabilizer of a parked Boeing 767. Fortunately, the 767 was unoccupied at the time, and a preliminary inspection revealed no major damage to either aircraft.

The incident occurred shortly after the 737 had completed a two-hour and thirty-minute flight from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As the aircraft was taxiing to its gate, it made contact with the stationary 767, leading to a situation that caught the attention of ground staff and passengers alike. Visuals shared on social media depicted the 737’s wingtip caught beneath the 767’s stabilizer, highlighting the complexities of maneuvering within O’Hare’s busy ramp area.

Passengers aboard the 737 experienced a brief delay following the collision, with one individual, Bill Marcus, mentioning that he felt a slight “shuddering” as the two planes separated. Despite the minor nature of the incident, United Airlines confirmed that passengers deplaned without incident and that no injuries were reported.

Details of the Incident and Aircraft Status

Passengers remained on the 737 for nearly an hour before safely disembarking. Although initial reports indicated that the damage was minimal, the aircraft remains grounded in Chicago more than a day after the incident. The 737, registered as N21723, is a 26-year-old model that was initially delivered to Continental Airlines in 1999 before becoming part of the United fleet in 2010. It is configured to accommodate up to 126 passengers across two classes.

Details regarding the condition of the involved Boeing 767 have not been disclosed, as its registration has not been reported. United Airlines continues to operate one of the largest fleets of 767 aircraft globally, second only to Delta Air Lines.

Concerns Over Ground Safety at U.S. Airports

This incident comes amid rising concerns regarding safety standards at major U.S. airports, particularly in light of numerous ground collisions this year. Prior to the O’Hare mishap, a significant incident occurred on October 1 at LaGuardia Airport, where two regional Delta jets collided at an intersection, resulting in injuries to a flight attendant.

Earlier, in September, two United aircraft were involved in a minor ground collision at San Francisco International Airport when a 737-900 clipped the tail of a parked aircraft. A similar incident took place in May involving two United 777s at the same airport. These occurrences raise significant questions about the implications of ongoing staffing shortages affecting air traffic control and ground operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aware of these incidents and is actively working to address staffing challenges by targeting thousands of new hires over the next few years. As one of the busiest airports in the United States, Chicago O’Hare presents a particularly complex operational environment, characterized by its eight active runways and high traffic volume.

The investigation into the recent ground collision is ongoing, and further details are expected as the FAA assesses the circumstances surrounding this incident.