A mid-ground collision at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has left travelers questioning how two massive aircraft could cross paths in such an unexpected way.
On Wednesday, a Japan Airlines plane collided with a parked Delta Air Lines jet while taxiing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The force of the impact caused the wing of the Japanese aircraft to become lodged in the tail of the stationary Delta plane.
The collision occurred around 10:17 a.m. on a taxi lane between the S Concourse and the airport’s south maintenance hangars. The Port of Seattle Fire Department, police, and SEA operations quickly responded to the scene. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
Airport authorities have coordinated with both airlines to ensure passengers were safely deplaned and transported to the terminal. Since the incident took place on a taxi lane, flight operations were minimally affected.
Videos of the moment quickly made their way online, with passengers and social media users expressing their disbelief. Many were shocked by the rare mid-ground collision, sparking a viral conversation.
“So, we were sitting on the tarmac at SeaTac, and another plane ran into us—just casually sliced into our tail. Very scary,” one witness shared on social media. The incident left people stunned. “This is insane,” one user commented, while another asked, “How is this possible?”
Another witness described the moment of impact: “Sitting on the tarmac in #Seattle, and another plane just hit our wing. The plane shook. Loud. It was scary. Getting inspected now.”
Social media quickly flooded with comments as people weighed in on the incident. Many were left in disbelief, calling it “wild,” while others sought answers, questioning how such a collision could happen despite the oversight of ground crew and pilots.
Concerns about the airport’s congestion also emerged, with one user noting that SeaTac had been overcrowded for some time, suggesting it could be contributing to operational strain.
For some, the incident raised doubts about air travel. One person admitted they wouldn’t be “flying anytime soon,” while another echoed the sentiment, calling the situation “very scary.”
Others were left puzzled, struggling to comprehend how such incidents continue to happen. Meanwhile, one user urged more caution, exclaiming, “Whoo, be careful already—Geeze!”
Delta confirmed that the affected Boeing 737, carrying 142 passengers, was Flight 1921, preparing for de-icing before its scheduled departure to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico when it was struck.
“There are no reports of injuries for crew or customers on the flight, and we apologize for the experience and delay in travels,” Delta stated. Japan Airlines has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the Japan Airlines aircraft involved was Flight 68, which had just completed an eight-hour journey from Tokyo. The collision took place in an area not under air traffic control. In response, the FAA temporarily halted some flights at the airport and launched an investigation into the incident.
This event comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over aviation safety in the U.S. Just last week, a tragic midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter over the Potomac River claimed the lives of 67 people.
Last Friday, January 31, a small medical plane with six people on board tragically crashed near a shopping center in Northeast Philadelphia, leaving no survivors and claiming the life of one person on the ground.
The concerns escalated further on Sunday when a United Airlines flight traveling from Houston to New York had to be evacuated after flames erupted from one of its engines mid-flight. The incident at SeaTac not only shocked passengers but also disrupted flight schedules, heightening frustrations for many travelers.
FlightAware, a global leader in real-time flight tracking, provided an overview of the incident’s impact. According to their data, the collision caused significant delays and cancellations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, further complicating travel for passengers. The aftermath of the incident created ripple effects across the airport, as travelers faced the frustrating combination of delays and uncertainty in the hours following the collision.
As of today, SeaTac Airport has experienced 15 delays affecting both arriving and departing flights across the U.S., along with 15 flight cancellations. These disruptions have included flights within, into, and out of the United States, leaving passengers to scramble and adjust their travel plans. The combination of delays and cancellations has only added to the chaotic situation, leaving many travelers frustrated and uncertain about when they’ll finally reach their destinations.
