Delta A350 Clips Air Canada Boeing 777 at LAX; FAA, NTSB Launch Investigation
What Happened
On October 6, 2026, Delta Air Lines Flight 7, an Airbus A350 bound for Tokyo, struck the tail of Air Canada Flight 785, a Boeing 777‑200LR, while taxiing at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Delta jet’s left wingtip clipped the 777’s horizontal stabiliser at around 10:30 a.m. local time, while the Air Canada aircraft was being towed and had stopped short of its gate. Multiple outlets reported visible structural damage: images showed the Delta winglet lodged in the 777’s tail, causing a large gash. Both airlines confirmed the contact and said no injuries occurred among the 275 passengers and 15 crew on the Delta flight or on the Air Canada aircraft. Delta passengers were safely deplaned and rebooked. Both aircraft were withdrawn from service for inspection. The FAA has opened an investigation, and the NTSB has been notified.
Key Takeaways
The incident highlights vulnerabilities in ground‑movement coordination at major airports. While no injuries occurred, the collision caused significant structural damage and triggered federal investigations, placing scrutiny on towing procedures, taxiway clearance, and air‑traffic control instructions.