A troubling incident at Charleston International Airport has raised serious safety questions after a taxiing Boeing 787 collided with a parked Breeze Airways plane, injuring two people and forcing passengers to evacuate.
Collision on the Tarmac: How It Happened
The incident occurred around 9:50 p.m. on July 18, 2025, after a Breeze Airways Airbus A220-300 had diverted to Charleston due to severe weather near its intended destination in Norfolk, Virginia. The plane had safely landed and was parked while awaiting refueling.
At that time, an All Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 787-10, which was taxiing on the tarmac with five crew members aboard, struck the tail of the Breeze aircraft with its left wingtip. The FAA confirmed the ANA aircraft was operating Flight 9397 and that no passengers were aboard at the time of the collision.
Emergency Response and Passenger Injuries
Emergency medical crews and law enforcement responded promptly. Two passengers on the Breeze Airways plane were evaluated for minor injuries, and all remaining passengers were bused to the terminal.
While no major injuries were reported, the event has triggered an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and raised important questions about:
- Ground crew communication and oversight
- Safe taxiing procedures during airport congestion
- Adequacy of emergency response protocols
- Airline responsibility in airport ground incidents
Even relatively low-speed ground collisions can cause jarring impacts, especially for seated or unrestrained passengers. Injuries such as neck sprains, concussions, or aggravation of preexisting conditions are not uncommon.
Potential for Personal Injury Claims
Passengers injured in this type of airport incident may have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim if it can be shown that negligence contributed to the crash. Potentially liable parties could include:
- The airline operating the moving aircraft (ANA in this case), for failure to navigate safely
- Airport ground operations or personnel, if miscommunication or faulty direction was a factor
- Maintenance contractors, if defective equipment or misaligned airport infrastructure contributed
Injured parties may be eligible for compensation related to:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Missed travel or business opportunities
In addition, if a more serious injury had occurred, a wrongful death claim might be appropriate depending on the circumstances and outcomes.
Legal Help for Injured Airline Passengers
While the FAA and other authorities will determine the regulatory outcomes of this airport collision, injured passengers still retain the right to pursue civil claims for damages. These cases require careful legal analysis of airline liability, aircraft operation standards, and passenger protection protocols.
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, our aviation accident attorneys represent clients who have been harmed in both in-flight and ground incidents involving commercial aircraft. Whether an accident involves pilot error, mechanical failure, or ground crew mistakes, we fight to uncover the truth and pursue accountability.
Were you or a loved one injured during a commercial flight or airport accident? Call us today at 713-804-9306 to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our experienced aviation personal injury lawyers. We’re ready to help you understand your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.