Both planes sit on the tarmac after the accident. Photo / AP
Both planes sit on the tarmac after the accident. Photo / AP
Two jets at New York's LaGuardia Airport got a little too close for comfort on Tuesday morning, with one ripping the wingtip off the other.
No passengers on either plane were injured.
American Airlines Flight 1104 from Dallas was taxiing to its gate just before 11am as Southwest Airlines Flight449 to Denver was departing.
The left winglet - a vertical fin at the tip of a wing designed to improve airflow and fuel efficiency - was ripped off the Southwest plane after it made contact with the American jet's left horizontal stabiliser, part of the tail. Both planes were Boeing 737s.
American Airlines spokesman Joshua Freed said in an email that the airline's plane "was taxiing with the help of ground personnel walking near each wingtip."
The 143 Southwest passengers and five crew members exited the jet via stairs and were then taken by bus off the tarmac. The aircraft was taken out of service for inspection and repairs.
