Planes collide on taxiway at Atlanta airport with almost 300 passengers on board

Two planes loaded with a combined total of almost three hundred passengers have collided in a terrifying incident at one of America’s busiest airports.

An Airbus has rammed into a plane a fifth of its size snapping off its tail and causing pandemonium at an airport in Atlanta.

Delta Airlines operates both of the aircraft involved in the incident which saw the Tokyo-bound Airbus hit the Louisiana-bound Endeavor Air Bombadier regional jet on the taxiway of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia shortly after 10am on Tuesday local time.

The smaller of two Delta Airlines planes which collided on a taxiway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport had its tail snapped off. Picture: @AFlyGuyTravels on X

There were 56 people on board the smaller plane, flight DL5526, which was left with its tail at a 90 degree angle.

The larger plane, DL295, had 221 people on-board.

Tampa-based meteorologist Jason Adams of television station WFTS was a passenger of the smaller plane involved in the incident.

Mr Adams was on his way to Lafayette to help out his sister station report on Hurricane Francine – a tropical storm gathering intensity in The Gulf of Mexico.

Here’s my photo now that we’ve evacuated the plane. Credit me if you use. Credit: Meteorologist Jason Adams, WTFS TV Tampa pic.twitter.com/deZ51aY3ty

— Jason Adams (@JasonAdamsWFTS) September 10, 2024

“Well that was terrifying,’ Mr Adams posted on X.

“Taxiing out for the flight from Atlanta to Louisiana and another plane appears to have clipped the back of our plane.

“Very jarring, metal scraping sounds then loud bangs. We’re fine. No fire or smoke. Awaiting instructions.”

Shocked passengers on other flights have shared vision of the crumpled regional jet as they taxiied past on their own unharmed aircraft.

Exclusive video of the Delta Airbus A350 and the DeltA CRJ-900 after they collided this morning during taxi in Atlanta#a350#Delta#deltaairlines#aviationpic.twitter.com/WeNR9az28X

— A Fly Guy's Crew Lounge (@AFlyGuyTravels) September 10, 2024

A Delta spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Mail the Airbus hit the smaller plane, which was parked on an adjacent taxiway as it prepared to head to Lafayette in Louisiana.

“(The incident resulted) in damage to the tail of the regional jet and the wing of the A350,” the spokesperson said.

“There have been no reported injuries at this time and customers are being transported back to the terminal where they will be re-accommodated on alternate flights.

“At this time, no additional operational adjustments are expected.

“Delta is co-operating with the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and other authorities on this incident.”

Here’s my photo now that we’ve evacuated the plane. Credit me if you use. Credit: Meteorologist Jason Adams, WTFS TV Tampa pic.twitter.com/wnjeTnrSq0

— Jason Adams (@JasonAdamsWFTS) September 10, 2024

Despite the dramatic morning, Atlanta Airport said there was “minimal impact” to other flights.

“At approximately 10:07 this morning two aircraft made contact at the intersection of taxiways E and H on the north airfield, “the airport told the Daily Mail in a statement.

“At this time, no injuries are reported. Passengers from one of the aircraft are being bussed from the incident to the concourses.

“The second aircraft taxied under its own power to a concourse where passengers will deplane at their gate. There is minimal impact to airport operations.”