FAA investigates Japan Airlines plane collision with Delta jet at SeaTac

On February 5, 2025, a taxiing Japan Airlines flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport struck the tail of a parked Delta Airlines aircraft. The incident occurred around 10:40 a.m., while Delta Flight 1921 awaited deicing before its scheduled flight to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, carrying 142 passengers. The Japan Airlines plane had just arrived from Tokyo and was taxiing toward a maintenance hangar when contact was made with the Delta aircraft. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among passengers or crew from either flight, but both flights required passengers to deplane due to the collision. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation into the situation since the collision happened in an area not covered by air traffic control. Initial reports suggest the right wing of the Japan Airlines aircraft impacted the tail of the parked Delta plane. Passengers aboard Delta Flight 1921 experienced a delay and were transferred to another aircraft for their continued journey. Delta issued an apology for the disruption and the experience passengers encountered. Although the collision raised safety concerns, officials noted that the incident had minimal impact on airport operations. The FAA's swift response underscores a growing trend in ensuring aviation safety, given increasing public attention and scrutiny of events involving passenger flights. The timing of this incident follows a recent tragedy involving an American Eagle regional jet colliding with an Army Black Hawk helicopter, highlighting significant safety issues in aviation. The FAA is currently evaluating the events leading to both incidents to implement better safety protocols in future operations. Authorities expressed their commitment to understanding and addressing the factors contributing to these occurrences, ensuring ongoing passenger safety remains a top priority for the aviation industry.