Did you hit that aircraft? ATC's tense exchange with pilots after Miami collision

The US aviation regulator has launched an investigation after a Copa Airlines passenger jet and a UPS cargo aircraft collided while taxiing at Miami Airport, leaving two people with minor injuries. Air traffic control (ATC) audio and preliminary findings indicate that the collision occurred despite instructions to the cargo plane's crew to give way to the passenger aircraft.

The incident took place on Saturday night as the Copa Airlines Boeing 737 was taxiing towards its gate after arriving from Panama City. The aircraft was carrying 166 passengers and six crew members. Meanwhile, the UPS Boeing 767 was preparing for departure to Bogota, Colombia.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air traffic controllers had instructed the UPS crew to give way to the Copa Airlines flight before the collision. However, the wingtip of the passenger jet struck the nose of the cargo aircraft at the intersection of two taxiways.

Audio from air traffic control communications captured the exchange between the pilots and the control tower moments after the incident.

"Somebody hit us," the Copa Airlines pilot told controllers. When the air traffic controller asked the UPS crew whether their aircraft had struck the passenger jet, the cargo plane's pilot acknowledged the contact.

"Yeah, we went too far, and then he clipped us with the wing," the UPS pilot said.

The Copa Airlines pilot subsequently reported that the aircraft appeared to have lost its left wingtip, saying, "It seems that we are missing the left wingtip."

TWO INJURED, ALL 172 PASSENGERS AND CREW SAFE

Two people were treated at the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue for minor injuries. They did not require hospitalisation.

Copa Airlines said all 172 people aboard its aircraft were safely disembarked after the plane was towed to the gate. The airline expressed regret over the disruption caused by the incident and said passenger and crew safety remained its top priority.

"We regret the disruption this incident may cause our passengers. The safety of our passengers and crew is our top priority, and we will cooperate with authorities as they investigate," the airline said in a statement.

UPS also confirmed that one of its aircraft was involved in a ground incident at the airport. The company said its crew members were safe and that it would cooperate with the authorities.

COLLISION COMES A DAY AFTER NATIONWIDE US FLIGHT DISRUPTION

The collision took place just a day after an FAA ground stop on Friday triggered widespread flight cancellations across the United States. The disruption left thousands of travellers stranded at airports, with some passengers reportedly sleeping on terminal floors while waiting for rebooked flights.

The proximity of the two incidents has drawn attention to the latest disruption in US aviation. However, there is no confirmation that Friday's nationwide ground stop had any connection with Saturday's collision at Miami Airport.

The FAA is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the sequence of instructions issued to the UPS crew and how the two aircraft came into contact on the taxiway. Both airlines have said they will cooperate with the investigation.

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