Alaska Airlines Aircraft Collision at Sea-Tac Raises Ground Safety Concerns
On May 17, 2025, a serious ground incident occurred at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) when two Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft collided during pushback. The incident transpired at approximately 12:15 p.m. local time, involving flight AS1190 destined for Orange County, CA, and flight AS1094 bound for Sacramento, CA.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 and a 737-900, experienced minor damage as their winglets grazed each other. Fortunately, no injuries were reported; however, the collision caused significant delays, raising concerns about ground safety at one of the West Coast’s busiest airports.
Seattle-Tacoma Airport Ground Incident
Both aircraft were being moved by ground-service tugs when the incident occurred. In a swift response, Alaska Airlines issued an apology, deplaning passengers who were subsequently rebooked on alternative flights.
Flight AS1190 faced a staggering 3.5-hour delay, while flight AS1094 was cleared for an earlier departure. To minimize disruption, the airline substituted the damaged aircraft to maintain operational integrity.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an investigation, with a focus on ground crew training and communication protocols. Notably, air traffic control does not oversee gate movements, leading the inquiry to center on procedural errors.
Notably, this incident marks the third wing-clipping event in the U.S. within weeks, following similar events at San Francisco International Airport and Ronald Reagan National Airport. Experts suggest that factors such as overcrowding and human error could be contributing to these alarming trends.
Conclusion: Alaska Airlines is fully cooperating with the FAA to determine the causes of this incident. While delays were frustrating for passengers, the event emphasizes the urgent need for improved ground safety protocols as air travel demand continues to rise.
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