(Rightallegiance.com) – In a concerning event on a recent Thursday morning at Boston Logan International Airport, two aircraft operated by JetBlue experienced a collision on the tarmac. This incident, confirmed by both the airline and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), brings to light questions about airport safety protocols and the challenges of navigating the busy ground operations at major airports.
The collision occurred as one of the JetBlue planes was maneuvering into a designated de-icing pad lane, a crucial safety procedure during the colder months. Unfortunately, it came into unintended contact with another JetBlue aircraft situated in an adjacent de-icing pad lane. The impact resulted in damage to the winglet of one plane and the tail section of the other. A statement provided to Fox Business detailed the incident, highlighting the physical consequences of the collision but thankfully noting the absence of injuries among passengers and crew members on board both flights.
JetBlue was quick to address the incident, emphasizing that the safety of its passengers and crew remains the airline’s utmost priority. In light of the collision, both aircraft were immediately withdrawn from service to undergo necessary repairs. The airline also committed to conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the specifics of how and why the incident took place, signaling a proactive approach to preventing future occurrences.
The flights directly affected by this mishap were JetBlue flight 777, which was scheduled to depart for Las Vegas, and JetBlue flight 551, bound for Orlando. Despite the unforeseen event, JetBlue assured that alternative arrangements were made to operate these flights on different aircraft, minimizing disruption to passengers’ travel plans.
The FAA, corroborating JetBlue’s account of the incident, has also pledged to continue its investigation into the matter. Such investigations are crucial for understanding the dynamics of airport ground operations and for implementing strategies to mitigate the risks of similar incidents in the future.