United Airlines Planes Collide at Chicago O’Hare Airport

Two United Airlines planes were involved in a ground collision on the afternoon of October 6, 2023, at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). As a Boeing 737-700, carrying 113 passengers and five crew members, was taxiing to its gate, it struck the horizontal stabilizer of a stationary Boeing 767. Fortunately, the 767 was parked and had no passengers onboard at the time.

The incident occurred after the 737 had just completed a two-hour and 30-minute flight from Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC). The collision was described as minor, with initial inspections revealing no significant damage to either aircraft. Nonetheless, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident.

Details of the Collision

According to reports, the impact left the wingtip of the 737 lodged beneath the left horizontal stabilizer of the 767. Photos shared on social media illustrated the aftermath of the collision, which happened in the busy ramp area of O’Hare. Many passengers on the arriving flight were reportedly unaware of the mishap, with one passenger, Bill Marcus, noting a slight “shuddering” sensation as the two aircraft separated.

United Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement, clarifying, “On Friday afternoon, UA2652 was taxiing to its arrival gate when it made contact with the horizontal stabilizer of another United aircraft. Passengers deplaned normally, and no injuries were reported.”

Passengers remained on the grounded 737 for nearly an hour before disembarking. While damage was classified as minor, the aircraft, identified as a 26-year-old Boeing 737-700 registered as N21723, is still grounded in Chicago, nearly a day after the collision. This aircraft was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in 1999 and integrated into United’s fleet following the merger in 2010.

Concerns Over Ground Safety

The incident at Chicago O’Hare is part of a worrying trend of ground collisions at major U.S. airports. Earlier in October, another incident occurred at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) involving two regional Delta jets that collided at a taxiway intersection, resulting in injuries to a flight attendant.

In September, two United aircraft were involved in a minor collision at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), where a 737-900 clipped the tail of a parked aircraft. This followed a similar incident in May, where two United 777s collided on the ground at the same airport. Such occurrences have raised concerns regarding air traffic safety, particularly amid ongoing shortages of air traffic controllers.

The FAA has acknowledged the staffing challenges and aims to recruit thousands of new employees in the coming years. However, current staffing levels remain below desired targets. Chicago O’Hare, one of the busiest airports in the United States, operates in a complex environment with eight active runways, making effective ground safety management crucial.

As investigations continue, the aviation community remains vigilant regarding the implications of these incidents on passenger safety and operational protocols.