A Copa Airlines jet struck a UPS cargo plane while both aircraft were taxiing. The FAA is investigating why the aircraft made contact despite instructions for the cargo crew to yield

A routine taxi maneuver at Miami International Airport ended with two aircraft striking each other, leaving two people with minor injuries and raising questions about how the collision occurred despite instructions for one crew to give way.

The incident involved a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 that had just arrived from Panama and a UPS Boeing 767 cargo jet preparing to depart for Bogotá. At about 9:15 p.m., the wingtip of the Copa aircraft struck the forward fuselage of the UPS plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which has opened an investigation.

The detail at the center of the inquiry is that the UPS crew had been instructed to yield to the Copa flight, which had just landed. The FAA has not yet explained why the two aircraft nevertheless came into contact while moving on the ground.

Two people sustained minor injuries and received treatment at the airport, Greg Chin, the airport’s communications director, told CNN. No further details about the injured individuals or the circumstances surrounding the impact were immediately released.

Both airlines said they would cooperate with investigators. UPS said it was working with the authorities to establish what happened. Copa Airlines described the safety of passengers and crew as its highest priority and also pledged to assist with the investigation.

The collision comes as U.S. air travel is already facing disruption following a flight shutdown that triggered delays and cancellations. The FAA’s investigation will focus on the circumstances of the ground collision, including how the aircraft came into contact despite the instruction for the UPS crew to give way.

(Photo: © AndKronos)