American Airlines plane is struck by garbage truck on tarmac while passengers were waiting to take off
An American Airlines plane was hit by a garbage truck while passengers were waiting to take off in North Carolina.
The plane was delayed after the vehicle suddenly reversed during boarding at Piedmont Triad International Airport on Friday morning.
The impact caused the plane to vibrate and left a piece of the garbage truck stuck in the plane’s wing, causing significant damage.
The passengers were forced to deplane and return to the airport.
The flight, which was headed to Dallas, was delayed by several hours.
“We had just boarded the plane when we felt a very strong jolt for a few seconds, and then another,” passenger Joni Crofoot said. WFMY News 2.
An American Airlines plane was hit by a garbage truck while passengers were waiting to take off in North Carolina.
**
Photos from the scene show airport staff and police surrounding the green garbage truck after the incident.
Part of the truck, driven by a contractor, became stuck in the left wing of the plane, causing extensive damage.
The incident happened as passengers were boarding the flight to Dallas and caused the plane to shake.
Basketball coach Steve Forbes was on board and claimed it felt like an earthquake at the time.
“Here’s a new one for those of us who travel by plane,” he wrote on X.
“Sitting on the plane in Greensboro, ready to go. Airplane starts shaking violently. Is it an earthquake?!?! No, just a garbage truck crashing into the plane.”
The plane was delayed after the vehicle suddenly reversed at Piedmont Triad International Airport Friday morning while boarding was taking place.
The impact caused the plane to vibrate and left a piece of the garbage truck stuck in the plane’s wing, causing significant damage.
They were forced to leave the plane and wait for further information about their flight, which was delayed by several hours
They were forced to leave the plane and wait for further information about their flight, which was delayed by several hours.
The passengers were seen at the gate, while some waited at the American Airlines kiosk to find out what was happening.
No injuries were reported on the flight, which was expected to carry 143 customers and six crew members.
The flight to Dallas was scheduled to take place on Friday afternoon with a different plane.
An American Airlines spokesperson said, “During boarding of American Airlines Flight 1716 from Greensboro, NC (GSO) to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), a vehicle made contact with the wing of the aircraft.
“All customers and crew on board have departed and returned to the terminal, and the aircraft has been taken out of service for maintenance.
“We thank our team members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for any inconvenience.”
DailyMail.com has contacted American Airlines for further comment.