Passengers aboard a Delta Air Lines flight experienced heart-stopping moments as their aircraft clipped the wing of a parked Airbus A350 while preparing for departure at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the Delta jet's wing make contact with the stationary Airbus, creating a loud scraping noise that sent shockwaves through both aircraft. The incident occurred during taxiing procedures, with the packed commercial flight carrying hundreds of passengers.
Chaos on the Tarmac
Airport staff described scenes of confusion as ground crews rushed to assess the damage. "It was like watching a slow-motion disaster," one baggage handler told reporters. "The Delta plane came just a bit too close, and then we heard that awful sound."
Passenger Reactions
"We felt this jolt and then saw the other plane's wing right outside our window," said passenger Michael Reynolds. "People started screaming - we thought we might tip over or something worse."
Authorities quickly cordoned off the area as both aircraft were inspected for damage. Initial reports suggest the Airbus sustained significant wing damage, while the Delta jet appears to have escaped with minor scrapes.
Safety Investigation Launched
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a full investigation into the incident, which aviation experts are calling a "serious breach of safety protocols."
"This kind of wing-to-wing contact shouldn't happen during normal operations," said aviation safety consultant David Pearson. "Someone wasn't paying attention, or there was a serious miscommunication between the cockpit and ground control."
Delta Air Lines has issued a statement apologizing to passengers and confirming they are cooperating fully with investigators. The airline has not yet commented on whether disciplinary action will be taken against the flight crew involved.
