Two aircraft operated by United Airlines were involved in a collision on the ground at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on the afternoon of October 13, 2023. An arriving Boeing 737-700, carrying 113 passengers and five crew members, made contact with a stationary Boeing 767 while taxiing to its gate. The impact occurred as the 737’s wing struck the horizontal stabilizer of the parked 767, which was unoccupied at the time.
The collision, which was described as minor, did not result in any injuries. Passengers aboard the 737 were reportedly unaware of the incident until the pilot announced a delay due to the presence of United ground staff around the aircraft. One passenger, Bill Marcus, noted that while he did not feel the initial impact, he experienced some “shuddering” as the two planes separated.
United Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement, indicating that all passengers deplaned safely and that no significant damage was detected. A thorough inspection of both aircraft revealed no major issues, although the 737 remains on the ground in Chicago nearly 24 hours after the mishap.
Details of the Incident
The Boeing 737-700, registered as N21723, had just completed a two-hour and 30-minute flight from Jackson Hole (JAC). It was delivered to Continental Airlines in 1999 before merging with United in 2010. The narrowbody aircraft can accommodate up to 126 passengers, divided between domestic first class and economy.
While the registration number of the involved 767 has not been disclosed, it is known that United Airlines operates one of the largest fleets of Boeing 767s for passenger flights, second only to Delta Air Lines.
Following the incident, passengers on the 737 remained on board for approximately one hour before disembarking normally. The FAA has initiated an investigation into the collision, highlighting the importance of safety protocols in busy airport environments.
Ground Collisions Raise Safety Concerns
This incident at Chicago O’Hare is part of a troubling trend of ground collisions at major US airports. Earlier in October, another incident at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) resulted in injuries when two regional Delta jets collided on a taxiway, with one aircraft’s wing striking the cockpit of another. In September, a separate incident involving two United aircraft at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) saw a 737-900 clip the tail of a parked plane.
These occurrences have raised concerns about safety standards, particularly as air traffic controller shortages continue to affect airport operations across the United States. The FAA is working to address these staffing challenges by recruiting thousands of new controllers, but progress has been slow.
As one of the busiest airports in the country, Chicago O’Hare presents a complex operational environment, with eight active runways and a high volume of air traffic. The circumstances surrounding the recent collision will likely prompt further scrutiny of ground safety protocols in the aviation industry.
