Two United Airlines jets involved in ground collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport

No injuries reported as FAA staffing shortage and weather cause widespread delays

Two United Airlines aircraft made contact on a taxiway at LaGuardia Airport on Friday evening, marking the second ground collision at the airport this month.

According to United, Flight UA580 from Chicago O’Hare (Boeing 737-800 N35204) clipped the tail of Flight UA434 (Boeing 737-800 N14250), which was preparing for departure to Houston International, while turning into its gate. Both aircraft returned safely to their gates, passengers deplaned normally, and no injuries were reported.

UA580 carried 166 passengers and eight crew members, while UA434 had 162 passengers and seven crew members on board. The Houston-bound flight was later cancelled as inspections began.

United said it was “working to get customers to their destination as quickly as possible.”

The incident occurred amid severe staffing shortages in the New York region, where the FAA confirmed that nearly 80% of air traffic controllers are absent due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. The agency said the resulting strain has caused widespread flight delays and cancellations, with LaGuardia reporting over 560 delays and 130 cancellations on Friday alone, compounded by high winds in the area.

This marks the second taxiway collision at LaGuardia in October. Earlier this month, two Delta Air Lines aircraft made contact at low speed, resulting in minor injuries.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey referred media inquiries to United Airlines, while the FAA continues to monitor operational impacts across the region’s congested airspace.