United planes collide on LaGuardia tarmac amid wind and staffing woes

Two United Airlines planes made contact on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport on Friday evening as high winds and staffing shortages led to widespread flight disruptions across the New York area, airline and federal officials said. The collision involved United Flight 580, arriving from Chicago, and United Flight 434, bound for Houston. Both aircraft returned to the gate, all passengers deplaned, and no injuries were reported.

United said Flight 580, a Boeing 737 with 166 passengers and eight crew, was taxiing into its arrival gate when it clipped the tail of Flight 434, a Boeing 737 that was stationary and preparing for departure with 162 passengers and seven crew. Combined, the two flights carried 328 passengers and 15 crew members. Maintenance teams were inspecting the damaged aircraft to determine whether it could return to service. Emergency response vehicles were observed on the tarmac and investigators will review the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate. The agency noted that while air traffic controllers manage runways and taxiways, movements in the gate area are controlled by the airlines. "FAA air traffic control is not responsible for...