Moment two planes collide as aircraft with 180 passengers onboard tries to squeeze past second jet – but fails

NEW video has revealed the terrifying moment that two planes collided while passengers were boarding.

A Delta plane and Spirit Airlines plane clipped wings at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Ohio back in May.

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Footage from the airport showed the Delta jet moving toward a gate at a terminal.

The plane was a Boeing 739 carrying 180 passengers for a trip to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

In the video, the Delta plane was seen trying to squeeze past the Spirit jet, which was already parked.

As the aircraft tries to pass, its wings clip the other plane .

Robert Katz, a commercial pilot and flight instructor, told local Fox affiliate WJW that the video was alarming.

“Aircraft are not designed to bump into each other like that,” Katz said.

The incident happened on the night of May 12, and the collision is still under investigation.

NO INJURIES

Nobody was hurt in the collision, but Delta Airlines confirmed their plane’s wing was damaged.

Delta’s passengers were also delayed for about four hours while waiting to board a new plane after the swipe.

“During taxi in, the wingtip of Delta flight 2577 came in contact with a parked aircraft,” a Delta spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.

“The Delta flight was removed from service for inspection. From the inspection, a winglet was replaced and the aircraft returned to service.”

There was no change to air traffic due to the collision. Spirit said that their jet would be inspected after the incident.

“Our guests deplaned normally through the jet bridge, and no injuries to Spirit guests or team members were reported,” Spirit said in a statement at the time.

“Safety is our top priority, and the aircraft was removed from service to be thoroughly inspected by our maintenance team.”

Statements about the collision

After a Delta plane and Spirit Airlines plane clipped wings on May 12, both airlines released a statement, along with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Delta Airlines said:

“Delta teams worked to reaccommodate customers to their final destination to Atlanta after the wingtip from Delta flight DL2577 made contact with a parked aircraft at CLE.

“We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

Spirit Airlines said:

“Spirit Airlines flight 655 (CLE-LAX) was parked at the gate in Cleveland (CLE) and in the process of boarding when the wing tip of another airline’s aircraft made contact with our aircraft.

“Our Guests deplaned normally through the jet bridge, and no injuries to Spirit Guests or Team Members were reported.

“Safety is our top priority, and the aircraft was removed from service to be thoroughly inspected by our maintenance team.

“We are re-accommodating our Guests with alternate travel arrangements as quickly as possible.”

FAA said:

“Delta Air Lines Flight 2577 was taxiing when its wingtip struck Spirit Airlines Flight 655, which was parked at its gate at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in Ohio around 7 p.m. local time Sunday, May 12.

“The Boeing 737-900 departed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

“The FAA will investigate. Please contact the airlines for additional information.”

Spirit also added that they were giving “alternate travel arrangements” for customers “as quickly as possible.”

After seeing the video, Katz said that both planes should be inspected thoroughly.

“Examine all the component parts that could have been impacted, directly, and also indirectly,” he told the outlet.

“Their function, their reliability, their performance can all be compromised. Everything on an airplane serves a purpose.”

ANOTHER CLOSE CALL

Last month, Delta almost had another collision – but the horrifying close call happened in the air.

A Delta jet came within 725 feet of crashing into an American Airlines flight, according to the FAA.

The terrifying incident reportedly stemmed from an air traffic control error.