Los Angeles collision grounds Delta, Air Canada widebodies

Aircraft Collision at LAX

On Tuesday morning, 7 October 2026, a Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-900, registered N512DN, was taxiing for departure from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when its left wingtip collided with the tail section of an Air Canada Boeing 777-200LR, registered C-FIVK. The incident occurred on a taxiway near Terminal 6 at approximately 10:30 AM local time.

The Air Canada aircraft had arrived earlier as flight AC785 from Toronto Pearson International Airport and was being towed to its gate when it stopped short. The Delta A350, operating flight DL7 bound for Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), sustained damage to its wingtip, which became lodged in the Boeing 777's right horizontal stabilizer, also causing a substantial gash in the tail.

No injuries were reported among the 275 passengers and 15 crew members on board the Delta flight, nor on the Air Canada jet.

Tokyo Flight Delayed, Toronto Service Cancelled

The collision immediately led to the grounding of both widebody aircraft for inspection and repairs, causing significant disruption to airline schedules. Delta flight DL7 to Tokyo Haneda, which was carrying 275 passengers, was delayed by over eight hours. A replacement Airbus A350-900 eventually departed LAX at 6:08 PM on Tuesday evening.

The Air Canada Boeing 777-200LR, which was scheduled to operate the return service, flight AC786, to Toronto Pearson at 11:55 AM on Tuesday, was cancelled entirely. Both aircraft, the nearly eight-year-old Delta A350 and the almost 19-year-old Air Canada 777, remain out of service at Los Angeles while inspections and repairs are carried out.

Regulatory Investigations Underway

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation into the incident, confirming that Delta Air Lines Flight 7's left wingtip clipped the horizontal stabilizer of Air Canada Flight 785 while the latter was being towed. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also been notified.

Investigators will focus on understanding why the Air Canada Boeing 777 stopped short of its gate and how its position related to the Delta A350's taxi path. Air traffic control recordings captured the crews reporting the contact shortly after it occurred.

Neither airline nor the FAA has publicly disclosed the specific instructions given to the Delta crew or the tow team at the time of the collision.

Implications for Asia-Pacific Air Travel

This incident highlights the operational complexities at major global hubs like LAX, which serves as a critical gateway for long-haul flights connecting North America with the Asia-Pacific region. For travellers bound for Asian destinations such as Tokyo, such ground collisions can cause substantial delays and cancellations, impacting onward connections and travel plans.

While this specific event involved two of the widest aircraft commonly operating at LAX, with wingspans of 64.75 metres for the A350-900 and 64.8 metres for the 777-200LR, the ongoing investigation will provide insights into taxiway procedures and air traffic management that could influence future operational protocols.

Asian carriers and passengers frequently transiting through or arriving at LAX will be watching for the outcome of these investigations, particularly regarding any adjustments to ground movement guidelines that might affect efficiency and safety at busy international airports.