NTSB Releases Preliminary Findings on LaGuardia Ground Collision

In the world of commercial aviation, safety is the paramount objective, built upon layers of procedure, technology, and human performance. When incidents occur, they are scrutinized to reinforce and improve this system. On October 1, 2025, an event at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) put this process into motion when two Endeavor Air aircraft, operating as Delta Connection, collided on the ground. The incident, while resulting in only one minor injury, triggered a full-scale investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The collision involved Endeavor Air flight 5155, a Bombardier CRJ-900 preparing for departure to Roanoke, and Endeavor Air flight 5047, another CRJ-900 that had just arrived from Charlotte. The event occurred at a low speed at the intersection of taxiways M and A. While ground incidents are not uncommon, a collision between two Commercial-Aircraft resulting in substantial damage warrants a thorough and transparent investigation. The NTSB’s role is not to assign blame but to meticulously uncover the factual sequence of events and determine a probable cause to prevent future occurrences.

The agency recently released its preliminary report, offering the first official, fact-based look into the circumstances surrounding the collision. This report is a critical first step, compiling data from flight recorders, air traffic control communications, airport surveillance, and crew interviews. It provides a timeline and a factual basis for the ongoing investigation, allowing us to break down the known elements of the incident while the NTSB continues its comprehensive analysis.

A Factual Breakdown of the Collision

The NTSB’s preliminary report provides a clear, moment-by-moment account of the events leading up to the collision. By examining air traffic control (ATC) transcripts and data from the aircraft, we can reconstruct the timeline and understand the instructions given to each flight crew. The clarity of these communications is a focal point of the investigation.

Air Traffic Control Communications and Crew Actions

According to the report, at 9:54:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, the ground controller at LaGuardia instructed the crew of flight 5047 (the arriving aircraft) to taxi to their gate via taxiway B to taxiway M. The flight crew correctly read back these instructions, indicating a clear understanding of their cleared path. This part of the sequence appears routine and without any ambiguity.

Just over a minute later, at 9:55:37 PM, the same ground controller issued taxi instructions to flight 5155 (the departing aircraft). The clearance was to taxi to runway 13 via taxiways A to E and to hold short of runway 4. Critically, the instruction included the directive to “give way to another Endeavor Air airplane at taxiway M.” At 9:55:41 PM, the crew of flight 5155 read back the controller’s instructions. The collision occurred approximately one minute later, at 9:56:40 PM.

The investigation’s focus sharpens on the period between the readback and the impact. Airports surveillance video captured the event, showing flight 5047 turning onto taxiway M and coming to an abrupt stop as it neared the intersection with taxiway A. Approximately two seconds later, the right wing of the eastbound flight 5155 struck the nose of the stationary flight 5047.

Two Different Perspectives

Interviews with the flight crews provide crucial, albeit differing, perspectives. The crew of the arriving flight, 5047, stated their taxi was normal. The captain reported seeing the other aircraft approaching from his left and brought his plane to a stop. A few seconds later, their aircraft was struck. Their account aligns with the sequence of events captured by airport surveillance footage.

The account from the flight deck of the departing flight, 5155, is more complex. The first officer told investigators he recalled hearing the full taxi clearance and did not find it confusing. However, the captain’s recollection was different. He recalled the instruction to taxi and hold short of runway 4 but stated he did not recall hearing the specific instruction to “give way” to the other aircraft at taxiway M.

The captain [of flight 5155] stated he was focused on calculating performance numbers for landing at the destination airport. He saw flight 5047 to the right, attempted to veer left, and applied the brakes immediately before the collision.

This discrepancy in recollection is a central point in the preliminary report. Human factors, including cockpit workload and situational awareness, will likely be a significant area of focus as the NTSB continues its analysis. The data from the Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) and Flight Data Recorders (FDR) from both aircraft were successfully recovered and will be instrumental in building a complete picture of the actions and conversations inside each cockpit.

The Aftermath and Investigation

In the immediate aftermath of the collision, the priority was the safety of the 93 passengers and crew members across both aircraft. Emergency protocols were activated, and while the incident was low-speed, the damage to the multi-million dollar aircraft was significant. The subsequent investigation now involves a methodical process of evidence collection and analysis by the NTSB and other involved parties.

Assessing the Damage and Human Impact

The NTSB classified the damage to both aircraft as “substantial.” Flight 5155, with registration N902XJ, sustained heavy damage to its right wing. The report specifies that the outboard slat, the aileron, and the wing tip separated from the aircraft. Flight 5047, registration N480PX, incurred major damage to its nose and the captain’s windshield, which was directly impacted by the other plane’s wing.

Fortunately, the human cost was minimal. A single flight attendant aboard flight 5155 reported a minor injury and was transported to a hospital for evaluation. No other injuries were reported among any of the passengers or crew. Passengers from both flights were deplaned on the taxiway and transported by bus back to the terminal, a standard procedure to ensure safety after such an event.

The weather at the time of the incident was not a factor. The meteorological report for LaGuardia indicated clear skies and visibility of 10 statute miles, ensuring that visual conditions were optimal for ground operations.

The Investigative Path Forward

The NTSB’s investigation is a collaborative effort. The agency is leading the inquiry, with participation from several other organizations, including the FAA, the aircraft operator Endeavor Air, the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). This multi-party approach ensures that expertise from all facets of the operation,piloting, air traffic control, and airline procedures,is brought to bear on the investigation.

The preliminary report is just the first public document in a process that can take 12 to 24 months to complete. Investigators will continue to synchronize the data from the flight recorders with ATC transcripts and surveillance video. They will conduct further interviews and analyze airline training protocols, airport signage, and any other factors that could have contributed to the incident.

The ultimate goal is to produce a final report that not only identifies a probable cause but also issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing a recurrence. These recommendations can influence everything from pilot training and ATC phraseology to airport taxiway design. Every incident is treated as a learning opportunity to further strengthen the safety of the national airspace system.

Preliminary Findings and Future Implications

The NTSB’s preliminary report on the LaGuardia ground collision successfully establishes a baseline of facts. It confirms that a clear instruction to “give way” was issued by air traffic control and read back by the departing flight’s crew. It also documents the captain’s lack of recollection of this critical command, highlighting a potential breakdown in situational awareness. The report meticulously details the physical damage and confirms the fortunate absence of serious injuries.

As the investigation moves forward, the focus will shift from “what happened” to “why it happened.” The final analysis will delve deeper into human factors, cockpit resource management, and operational pressures. The findings could have broad implications, potentially leading to new recommendations for training on high-workload phases of flight, even during ground operations. For now, the report stands as a testament to a transparent and methodical investigative process designed to ensure that every flight is a safe one.

FAQ

Question: What caused the collision between the two Endeavor Air planes at LaGuardia?
Answer: The NTSB has not yet determined a probable cause. The preliminary report is a statement of facts collected so far. It notes that air traffic control instructed the departing aircraft (flight 5155) to “give way” to the arriving aircraft (flight 5047), but a collision still occurred. The full investigation is ongoing.

Question: Was anyone seriously injured in the incident?
Answer: No. According to the NTSB, one flight attendant sustained minor injuries. There were no reported injuries to any of the passengers or other crew members on either aircraft.

Question: What happens next in the NTSB’s investigation?
Answer: The NTSB will continue to analyze all evidence, including the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, surveillance video, and interviews. This process typically takes 12 to 24 months. A final report will eventually be published, which will include an official probable cause and may contain safety recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

Sources

• NTSB Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report DCA26FA001