Delta-Air Canada LAX Collision: What We Know
A Delta Air Lines aircraft and an Air Canada plane collided while moving on a taxiway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The incident happened at about 10:30 a.m. local time and immediately triggered an investigation by federal aviation authorities.
The good news is that no injuries were reported among the people involved. However, both aircraft were taken out of service for inspection, creating delays and travel disruptions for passengers.
What happened at LAX?
According to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Delta Flight 7 was taxiing for departure when the aircraft’s left wingtip clipped the horizontal stabilizer on the tail of an Air Canada aircraft.
The Delta flight was scheduled to fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda Airport in Japan. Delta said the aircraft was carrying 275 customers and 15 crew members at the time of the incident.
The Air Canada aircraft had arrived in Los Angeles from Toronto and was being towed toward its gate. The FAA said the Air Canada aircraft stopped short of its gate when the contact occurred.
Importantly, officials emphasized that this was a taxiway collision, not a runway crash. LAX operations continued normally after the incident.
Damage to the aircraft
Images and video from the scene showed visible damage to the aircraft. Reports indicated that part of the Delta aircraft’s wingtip, also known as a winglet, appeared to become lodged in the Air Canada aircraft’s tail section.
ABC7 Los Angeles reported that the winglet was ripped from the Delta aircraft and remained stuck in the stabilizer of the Air Canada plane. Both aircraft were subsequently removed from service for detailed inspections and repairs.
Air Canada confirmed that its aircraft would remain out of service while maintenance teams assessed the damage. Delta also said its aircraft was being evaluated and apologized to passengers for the disruption and delays.
Were passengers hurt?
Passengers aboard the Delta flight reportedly experienced a sudden jolt when the aircraft made contact with the Air Canada plane. Despite the impact, there was no reported medical emergency involving passengers or crew.
The absence of injuries is the most important part of the incident, but the aircraft damage means both airlines must complete safety and maintenance checks before the planes can return to service.
FAA investigates LAX plane collision
The FAA is investigating the Delta and Air Canada collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also been notified.
At this stage, authorities have not publicly determined who was responsible or exactly why the two aircraft came into contact. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft movements, towing operation, taxiway positioning, air traffic control communications and required clearance between the two planes.
Officials have cautioned that the FAA’s initial information is preliminary and could change as the investigation continues.
Could the LAX collision affect flights?
The incident caused disruption for the airlines involved, but LAX airport operations continued normally, according to airport officials.
Passengers traveling on Delta or Air Canada flights should check their individual flight status directly with the airline because aircraft inspections and repairs can lead to cancellations, aircraft swaps or delays.
For now, investigators are focused on understanding how a departing Delta A350 and an Air Canada aircraft being towed to a gate ended up making contact on the busy LAX taxiway.
The incident is another reminder that airport safety involves much more than takeoffs and landings. Aircraft movements on taxiways and around gates require careful coordination between pilots, ground crews, tow operators and air traffic controllers.