United Airlines Planes Collide on Ground at Chicago O’Hare

Two United Airlines aircraft were involved in a ground collision at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on the afternoon of October 6, 2023. An arriving Boeing 737-700, carrying 113 passengers and five crew members, made contact with a parked Boeing 767. The wing of the 737 clipped the horizontal stabilizer of the stationary 767, which had no passengers onboard at the time.

The incident occurred as the 737-700 was taxiing to its arrival gate after completing a two-hour and 30-minute flight from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Initial reports indicate that the impact was minor, with many passengers unaware of the collision. Following the incident, the pilot notified passengers of a delay while ground staff inspected the two aircraft.

According to a statement from United Airlines, “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. The other aircraft was stationary, and no passengers were onboard.”

Damage Assessment and Ongoing Investigations

Passengers remained on the 737 for nearly an hour before safely deplaning. Although the damage was described as minor, the aircraft has not yet returned to service. The 26-year-old Boeing 737-700, registered as N21723, was delivered to Continental Airlines in 1999 and became part of United’s fleet following a merger in 2010. It typically accommodates up to 126 passengers across two classes.

The registration of the Boeing 767 involved in the incident has not been disclosed, leaving its condition unreported. United Airlines is one of the few remaining operators of the Boeing 767 for passenger flights, holding the second-largest fleet of this aircraft type globally, after Delta Air Lines.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident, part of a broader concern regarding ground safety at major US airports.

Concerns Over Ground Safety

This incident is one of several ground collisions that have raised alarms about safety standards in the aviation industry, particularly amid ongoing air traffic controller shortages. Earlier this month, a collision at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) involved two regional jets operated by Delta Air Lines, resulting in injuries to a flight attendant.

Additionally, in September, two United aircraft were involved in a minor collision at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), where a 737-900 struck the tail of a parked aircraft. In May, similar circumstances occurred involving two United 777s at the same airport.

The rise in ground incidents coincides with critical staffing shortages in the aviation sector. The FAA is aiming to hire thousands of new air traffic controllers in the coming years, but current staffing levels remain significantly below the established targets. As one of the busiest airports in the United States, Chicago O’Hare operates in a complex environment, featuring eight active runways that contribute to its intricate operations.

With investigations ongoing and safety measures under scrutiny, both airlines and regulatory bodies are faced with the pressing need to enhance ground safety protocols to prevent further incidents.