On Saturday, 14 November, a Miami taxiway collision between a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 and a UPS Boeing 767 freighter left two people injured, according to Aviation24.be and Aviation A2Z. The event unfolded at around 9:15 p.m. local time.
Both aircraft were moving under their own power when they met at a taxiway junction within Miami International Airport (MIA), one having just landed and the other preparing to depart.
What Happened at the Miami Taxiway Collision
Copa Airlines Flight CM427 had arrived from Panama City, Panama, and was taxiing to its gate when the collision occurred, according to Aviation24.be. The UPS aircraft was operating as Flight 358, scheduled to depart Miami for Bogotá, Colombia.
The wingtip of the Copa 737 made contact with the forward fuselage of the UPS 767, leaving visible damage to the nose section of the UPS aircraft and the wingtip of the Copa jet. The moment of impact prompted an immediate reaction from one of the flightdeck crews: "Somebody hit us," an unidentified pilot involved in the collision said, as reported by Aviation24.be.
Radio transmissions captured the UPS crew acknowledging that their aircraft had crept too far forward and been struck by the Copa wing, Aviation A2Z reports. Footage recorded by passengers aboard the Copa aircraft and showing the aftermath has also emerged, Aviation A2Z notes.
ATC Instructions and the FAA Investigation
Before the collision took place, air traffic controllers had already issued instructions to the UPS crew to hold for the Copa flight that was arriving, early FAA information indicates, according to Aviation24.be. A formal FAA investigation into the incident has since been opened.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue attended the scene, where two people sustained minor injuries and were treated without needing to be taken to hospital, according to Aviation24.be.
In a statement reported by Aviation24.be, UPS confirmed that all crew members were unharmed and that the carrier is working alongside the relevant investigating authorities.
Airport Operations After the Collision
Miami International Airport remained operational following the incident, redirecting ground traffic to alternative taxiways, according to Aviation24.be. Passengers continued to travel through the airport while the affected aircraft were secured.
The taxiway collision took place just one day after a nationwide FAA ground stop had brought widespread disruption to air travel across the United States, though no link between the two events has been established by the authorities, Aviation A2Z notes.
What This Means
Taxiway collisions between commercial aircraft are rare but serious. This incident shares some characteristics with other ground events we have followed involving Boeing 767 operators: our earlier coverage of a UPS 767 that declared an emergency on a transatlantic flight is a reminder that the type features regularly in the carrier's operations and that UPS works closely with investigators when incidents arise.
The FAA's preliminary finding regarding the ATC instruction to give way will be central to the formal investigation. Investigators will examine the sequence of taxiway clearances, crew acknowledgement and the aircraft positions at the intersection.
You can track the operators involved using our Aircraft Search tool, and all developing incidents and emergencies are logged on our Squawk 7700 hub, the live emergency board and incident archive.
The Bottom Line
Both aircraft sustained visible damage, two people received treatment for minor injuries at the scene, and the FAA has launched a formal investigation. Miami International kept operating, yet the broader questions over taxiway sequencing and whether ATC instructions were followed correctly will require considerable time to resolve. Should Copa Airlines, UPS or FAA investigators release further information, we will update our coverage accordingly.
This article draws on reporting by Aviation24.be and Aviation A2Z.
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