Singapore Airlines Plane Clips Spirit Airlines Jet at Newark Airport | FAA Investigates

A Singapore Airlines (SIA) jet’s wing clipped the tail of a Spirit Airlines plane at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on March 3, disrupting travel plans for passengers on both airlines. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred as both aircraft were preparing for takeoff at Terminal B. The event highlights the complexities of ground operations at busy airports and the potential for incidents even with established safety protocols.

Ground Operations and the Newark Incident

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the collision took place in an area of the airport where air traffic control does not oversee aircraft movement. This detail is significant, as it suggests the incident occurred during a phase of operation where responsibility for safe maneuvering rests solely with the flight crews and ground personnel involved. The SIA Airbus A350-900, operating as Flight SQ21, was being pushed back from the gate when its right wing made contact with the tail of a Spirit Airlines Airbus A321neo. The Spirit aircraft was undergoing de-icing procedures at the time – a common practice during winter months to remove ice, snow, or frost from the aircraft’s surface.

Sree Sreenivasan, a passenger on the Singapore Airlines flight, described the event to The Straits Times, stating he didn’t initially experience any impact, but the plane stopped immediately after a brief period of movement. He noted that the pilot later announced “something about two planes coming in contact with each other,” but the extent of the incident wasn’t immediately clear to passengers.

Impact on Flights and Passengers

The SIA flight, originally scheduled to continue to its destination, was safely returned to the gate. Passengers were deplaned and provided with meals and refreshments while engineers inspected the aircraft. Following a thorough evaluation, SIA engineers cleared the Airbus A350-900 for service, and the flight eventually departed Newark at 4:09 PM on March 3, experiencing a delay of six hours and 34 minutes. A fresh team of pilots and cabin crew were assigned to the rescheduled flight. SIA issued a formal apology to its customers for the inconvenience caused, emphasizing that the safety of passengers and crew remains their top priority.

Spirit Airlines, however, removed its aircraft from service for a full evaluation by its maintenance team. The airline stated it was “working on alternate travel arrangements to get our Guests to their final destinations as quickly as possible,” but did not provide specifics on the extent of the disruption to its schedule. An Airbus A321neo typically seats around 200 passengers, meaning a significant number of travelers were potentially affected by the grounding of the aircraft.

Aircraft Specifications and Capacity

The incident involved two different aircraft types, each with varying passenger capacities. SIA’s Airbus A350-900 can carry over 300 passengers in a standard configuration. However, The Straits Times notes that SIA too operates a long-range version of the A350-900 (A350-900ULR) configured to carry a smaller number of passengers – 161, split between business and premium economy classes. The Spirit Airlines aircraft, an A321neo, is a narrow-body jet commonly used for domestic and short-haul international routes.

FAA Investigation and Safety Considerations

The FAA is currently investigating the incident to determine the precise sequence of events and identify any contributing factors. The fact that the collision occurred in an area without direct air traffic control oversight raises questions about the clarity of procedures and communication between ground crews and pilots during pushback operations. The incident underscores the importance of robust safety protocols and vigilant situational awareness for all personnel involved in airport ground operations.

Audio recordings from LiveATC, referenced in reports from WFTV, reveal that the air traffic controller cleared the Singapore Airlines crew for pushback but issued a specific warning regarding the nearby Spirit aircraft. The Singapore Airlines pilot acknowledged the warning, but the subsequent contact between the aircraft suggests a potential breakdown in communication or spatial awareness during the maneuvering process.

Financial Implications and Operational Costs

While the immediate financial impact of the incident appears limited – with no reported injuries and the SIA aircraft quickly returned to service – there are potential costs associated with the damage to the Spirit Airlines aircraft and the disruption to both airlines’ schedules. The cost of repairing the Spirit Airlines A321neo’s tail section could run into the tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the extent of the damage. The delay of the SIA flight necessitated providing meals and refreshments to passengers, as well as potentially incurring costs for re-accommodation if passengers missed connecting flights. The incident also highlights the broader financial risks associated with airport ground operations, including potential liability claims and reputational damage.

The long-term implications for both airlines are likely to be minimal, but the incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks in the aviation industry and the importance of continuous investment in safety measures, and training.

The FAA investigation will likely focus on reviewing procedures, communication protocols, and the physical layout of the area where the incident occurred to identify any areas for improvement. The findings of the investigation could lead to changes in airport operating procedures or the implementation of new safety technologies to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.