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United: Arriving flight at LaGuardia grazed parked plane, worsening Friday delays
By
Ryan Kost
Published Nov 1, 2025
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Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
By
Ryan Kost
Published Nov 1, 2025
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Two United Airlines planes grazed each other on the ground at LaGuardia Airport Friday evening, the airline said, exacerbating delays caused by ongoing staffing shortages.
United flight 580 was turning into its gate after arriving from Chicago when it struck the tail of United flight 434, which was parked on the taxiway, according to the airline. Both Boeing 737-800 aircraft returned to the gate and passengers deplaned normally.
No injuries were reported among the 166 passengers and eight crew members aboard the arriving flight or the 162 passengers and seven crew on the other plane, which was heading to Houston.
United said the airline was working to get the passengers to their destinations as quickly as possible.
The Federal Aviation Administration said nearly 80% of air traffic controllers were absent at New York–area facilities Friday amid a nationwide staffing shortage tied to the government shutdown. As a result, officials said plane traffic was deliberately slowed down for safety reasons.
At a press conference earlier in the day, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby called on Democrats to join Republicans to “pass a clean CR” – a congressional funding mechanism – to reopen the government.
Tagged
public safety
transportation
Ryan Kost
Ryan Kost is a reporter on the day-of news desk, where he covers breaking news and writes enterprise stories about jails, courts, prosecutors and government accountability. His work focuses on the public institutions that shape life in New York. Before joining the newsroom, he lead a multi-part investigation with Columbia Journalism Investigations and New York Focus into how New York prosecutors handle wrongful conviction claims. He's also been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Associated Press and The Oregonian. Got a tip? Signal: ryankost.20
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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