It was a rough day at Boston Logan International Airport as multiple planes were damaged during two separate incidents. Both incidents involved aircraft that were being maneuvered via tug vehicles.
The first incident occurred when an American Airlines Boeing 777 was being towed into the gate where it struck a Frontier Airlines Airbus A321. The American Airlines plane, N772AN, had just arrived at the airport after operating as American Airlines Flight 109 from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The Frontier aircraft, N714FR, was preparing to depart as Frontier Airlines Flight 3601 to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
Based on the photos I’m not sure how this incident occurred other than sheer negligence as it appears clear that the wingspan of the larger Boeing 777 would not have a chance of clearing the smaller Airbus jet.
An American Airlines Boeing 777-223(ER) plane (N772AN) clipped the wing tip of a Frontier Airlines Airbus A321-211 plane (N714FR) at Terminal E at Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts on 25 November.
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) November 25, 2024
No injuries were reported which occurred at a Terminal E gate while… pic.twitter.com/AYCvpILnsC
No injuries were reported as part of this incident. Later in the day another incident occurred that resulted in two [ilots being hospitalized.
A Cape Air Tecnam P-2012 Traveller (N651CA) that just arrived at the airport after operating Flight 5101 from Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) was struck by a ground vehicle towing an empty JetBlue Airbus A321 (N948JB). Two pilots and three passengers were on board the Cape Air plane and while no injuries were reported, the pilots went to the hospital as a precaution.
Cape Air Plane Struck by JetBlue Tug at Logan Airport; No Injuries Reported
— SLCScanner (@SLCScanner) November 26, 2024
Boston, MA November 26, 2024
In a minor incident at Logan International Airport on Monday night, a Cape Air plane was struck by a tug vehicle towing an empty JetBlue aircraft. The collision occurred… pic.twitter.com/NW3v9N1f6V
Both the Cape Air plane and the JetBlue ground tug have been removed from service. While the JetBlue A321 will undergo an precautionary inspection before returning to service.
While seeing two incidents happen at the same airport on the same day is rather unusual, flying is still one of the safest ways to travel. Both of these incidents appear to be the results of human error when navigating a tight airport rather than an issue with the pilots or the aircraft.
Summary
Three aircraft and a ground tug were damaged during two separate incidents, hours apart, at Boston Logan International Airport. The three aircraft in question have been removed from service and investigations into both incidents are underway.
