Legal Rights for Airline Crew After LaGuardia Plane Collision

On October 1, 2025, a collision between two Delta Air Lines planes on a taxiway at LaGuardia Airport raised serious safety and liability concerns. The incident occurred just before 10 p.m. when Endeavor Air Flight 5047, arriving from Charlotte, North Carolina, struck Endeavor Flight 5155, which was preparing to depart for Roanoke, Virginia. Endeavor is a Delta subsidiary.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Flight 5047 was taxiing to its gate when it made contact with Flight 5155 at the intersection of Taxiways M and A. Preliminary findings indicate that air traffic control had instructed Flight 5155 to hold and yield. The wing of Flight 5155 reportedly struck the fuselage of Flight 5047.

Flight Attendant Injured

Although more than 80 passengers were on board the two planes, the only reported injury was sustained by a flight attendant. Emergency responders provided care at the scene, and the injured crew member was later transported to a hospital. While described as a “low-speed collision,” this case highlights how even minor ground accidents can result in harm to airline employees.

FAA and NTSB Investigations

The FAA confirmed the sequence of events, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating what went wrong. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed there was no disruption to overall airport operations, but questions remain about whether pilot error, air traffic miscommunication, or operational negligence contributed to the incident.

Legal Rights of Injured Airline Crew Members

When an airline employee is injured on duty, their legal rights may include:

• Workers’ Compensation Benefits through their employer to cover medical care and partial lost wages.

• Third-Party Claims if negligence by another party, such as an airport authority or air traffic control, played a role in the collision.

• Potential Additional Legal Remedies depending on contract terms, federal aviation law, and the outcome of regulatory investigations.

Navigating these rights requires careful legal analysis. Unlike passengers, who generally pursue personal injury claims directly against airlines or other negligent parties, flight attendants and other crew members often must coordinate workers’ compensation with broader liability claims.

Why Experienced Aviation Attorneys Matter

At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our New York airplane accident lawyers have decades of experience handling complex aviation cases. From catastrophic crashes to ground collisions like the one at LaGuardia, our attorneys have secured record-setting verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured passengers and crew. We bring the resources, investigative skill, and courtroom experience necessary to hold airlines and authorities accountable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an aviation accident — whether as a passenger or a crew member — it is essential to seek legal guidance immediately.