Delta plane clips Air Canada jet at LAX before Tokyo flight, prompting FAA investigation

A Delta Air Lines plane preparing to depart for Tokyo struck part of an Air Canada aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport on Tuesday , October 6, prompting a Federal Aviation Administration investigation. The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. local time, while both aircraft were on the ground.

Delta identified its aircraft as an Airbus A350-900 carrying 275 passengers and 15 crew members , according to a spokesperson quoted by Fox News. Air Canada separately confirmed that no passengers or crew members were reported injured.

Air Canada’s plane had landed safely and was being towed to its gate

According to the FAA’s preliminary account, Delta Flight 7 was taxiing for departure when its left wingtip clipped the horizontal stabilizer of Air Canada Flight 785 the horizontal surface on the aircraft’s tail. The Air Canada plane was being towed and had stopped short of its gate. The agency has not announced a cause or assigned responsibility.

An Air Canada spokesperson told CityNews that Flight AC785 had arrived from Toronto and landed safely before the contact occurred during its transfer to the gate. The airline said the aircraft would be taken out of service for inspection and repairs. For its passengers, the disruption came after the airborne portion of their journey was already complete.

Delta also acknowledged the incident and apologized for the disruption. “We apologize to our customers for the experience and delay in their travel,” the airline said in a statement reported by Fox News.

The FAA’s initial statement establishes which aircraft made contact and where the impact occurred, but leaves the circumstances leading to the collision unresolved. Those questions remain part of the investigation, while Air Canada’s aircraft awaits inspection and repairs.