A ground collision between a UPS cargo plane and a Copa Airlines passenger jet at Miami International Airport on Saturday night led to minor injuries for two individuals, according to airport authorities. The incident unfolded as both aircraft were maneuvering on the tarmac.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the wingtip of a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 made contact with the nose of a UPS Boeing 767 around 9 p.m. local time, while both planes were taxiing. Air traffic controllers had reportedly instructed the UPS crew to yield to the Copa Airlines flight, which was proceeding to its gate after landing. The UPS cargo plane was preparing for departure to Bogotá, Colombia, when the collision occurred.
The FAA has initiated an investigation into the incident.
Details of the Ground Collision
Greg Chin, communications director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, issued a statement confirming the event. "At approximately 9:15 p.m., an arriving aircraft and a departing aircraft made contact with each other at the intersection of two taxiways," Chin stated. He further noted that airport operations remained unaffected, with flights being rerouted to alternative taxiways. "Two patients were treated on the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for minor injuries and did not require medical transport," Chin added.
Audio from the cockpit communications captured moments after the impact revealed a Copa Airlines pilot exclaiming, "Somebody just hit us." An air traffic controller then queried, "UPS 358, did you hit that aircraft?" The UPS pilot responded, "Yeah, we went too far and he clipped us with his wing."
Airline Statements and Passenger Details
Copa Airlines confirmed that Flight CM427, which had arrived from Panama City, Panama, was carrying 166 passengers and six crew members at the time of the collision. The airline specified that the Boeing 737's left wingtip was involved in the contact with the cargo aircraft. All passengers subsequently disembarked at the terminal, with two receiving treatment for what were described as minor injuries.
UPS Airlines also acknowledged the incident in a statement released on social media. "We are aware of an incident involving one of our aircraft on the ground in Miami," the company stated. "Our crew is safe, and we are committed to working with authorities to determine what happened. The safety of our employees and the public is our highest priority."
Broader Air Travel Context
This ground collision took place as U.S. airports were still recovering from a nationwide ground stop imposed by the FAA on Friday. That disruption affected thousands of flights after radar and communications systems experienced instability.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Saturday that air traffic control communications had been fully restored. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford indicated that airlines anticipated returning to their full flight schedules by the end of Sunday.
