MIAMI- On Thursday morning (December 26, 2024), a United Airlines (UA) Boeing 737-900ER collided with a food truck during towing operations at Miami International Airport (MIA), causing it to flip.
The airplane, registration number N68453, was damaged while being directed to its gate.
United Airlines 737 Damaged
The scheduled flight to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) was later canceled due to the incident. Ground crew members and a passenger from another United flight witnessed the collision.
United Airlines confirmed that there were no passengers on board during the incident. The company’s maintenance crew conducted a thorough check to determine any damage.
The catering company’s identity and any potential injuries to truck personnel have yet to be revealed. Photographs from the scene show the big catering trailer lying on its side next to the Boeing 737-900ER.
A United Airlines spokeswoman told Simple Flying that “on Thursday morning, a United aircraft made contact with a catering vendor vehicle while being towed to a gate at Miami International Airport.” The aircraft was not carrying any passengers and is being thoroughly inspected by our maintenance crew.”
Flight Cancelled After Incident
A United Airlines Boeing 737-900ER collided with a catering truck at Miami International Airport, causing significant flight disruptions and schedule changes.
The event garnered attention when passengers on United Flight UA1359 from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) photographed an overturned food truck near to aircraft N68453.
According to FlightRadar24, a United 737 arrived in Miami at 14:09 on Wednesday as UA2295 from Newark and parked at Gate H14. The aircraft’s lengthy ground time differed from United’s customary Miami operations, which often have rapid turnarounds due to Miami’s non-hub status.
The aircraft’s original assignment, flight UA2644 to Denver at 15:46, was significantly modified. United Airlines used aircraft N75429 as a replacement, causing the flight to depart at 18:25 from gate H15, resulting in a two-hour delay. N75429 arrived from Denver as UA1418 at 16:37.
This substitution caused operational issues. N75429’s scheduled Newark flight UA1386, which was supposed to depart at 17:25 on Wednesday, was changed to N68453. The relocation moved the departure time to Thursday at 11:30, resulting in an 18-hour delay.
Aircraft N68453 moved between its arrival and the Thursday morning incident, most likely due to facility transfers. The airline attempted to place the aircraft at gate H14 for Newark flight UA1836, but the collision prompted the cancelation.
United Airlines maintains a maintenance facility at Miami International Airport, which explains the potential for extended ground time. The incident’s impact went beyond immediate flight cancellations, impacting United’s network schedule and necessitating additional aircraft reassignments.
Similar Incidents
On February 9, 2024, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER experienced wing damage at George Town Owen Roberts International Airport. Aircraft N846DN collided with a stairs truck during taxi operations for flight DL1870 to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
The incident’s social media documentation drew rapid attention to ground safety procedures. Delta provided alternative arrangements for affected passengers while completing damage assessments.
In a separate incident, an Air India Express Boeing 737 collided with a stalled truck at Surat International Airport on March 13, 2024, at 11:15 p.m. Flight IX-172 from Sharjah had more than 160 passengers.
The incident occurred after landing, when the aircraft reached its allocated bay area. Airport officials acknowledged the occurrence and promptly implemented safety protocols.