A low-speed ground collision occurred on January 1, 2026, involving two Boeing 737 aircraft at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. An Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-700, identified as N707VL, was being towed when its right wingtip struck the right horizontal stabilizer of a parked Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8, designated N8909L. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as both aircraft were unoccupied at the time of the incident.
The collision took place early in the morning as the Avelo aircraft was being moved from a remote stand to Terminal One for its scheduled flight to New Haven. In contrast, the Southwest Boeing 737 had no flights planned for that day, having been parked overnight. Although there was no immediate impact on Southwest Airlines’ operations, the Avelo flight, designated XP676, was cancelled due to the unavailability of an alternate aircraft.
Details of the Incident
According to reports from WRAL News, the incident unfolded as ground crews were preparing the Avelo Airlines flight for departure. The right winglet of N707VL clipped the horizontal stabilizer of N8909L while being towed, resulting in damage to both planes. Ground personnel had initially parked both aircraft at remote stands overnight without any passengers onboard.
Despite the collision, Southwest Airlines was not materially affected, as the damaged aircraft was not scheduled for service. Avelo Airlines, however, faced operational challenges. Passengers booked on flight XP676 likely had to be rebooked or compensated due to the cancellation, complicating travel plans for those heading to New Haven. Avelo had another scheduled departure to New Haven later in the day, but accommodating all affected passengers would depend on available seating, as load factors could be a limiting factor.
Assessing Damage and Repair Outlook
As of the latest updates, both aircraft remain grounded while technicians from each airline assess the extent of the damage. The situation at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which serves as a maintenance base for Avelo Airlines, suggests that repairs for the Avelo 737 should proceed swiftly. The damage to its wingtip is considered relatively minor and may allow for a quick return to service.
In contrast, the situation for the Southwest Airlines 737 is more complex. The airline does not operate a maintenance station at Raleigh-Durham, and the damage to the horizontal stabilizer is more significant than that of the Avelo aircraft. Southwest Airlines may opt to ferry the damaged plane to a maintenance facility or dispatch parts and technicians to conduct repairs on-site.
Overall, while the Avelo Airlines incident resulted in a flight cancellation—a costly and logistically challenging event—it does not appear to have severely disrupted the airline’s operations. Southwest Airlines, on the other hand, faces more extensive repairs for its aircraft, potentially impacting future scheduling.
Context of Recent Ground Collisions
This incident at Raleigh-Durham is not an isolated occurrence. In 2025, ground collisions became a concerning trend within the aviation industry. Notable incidents include two United Airlines 737-900ER aircraft colliding during pushback at Houston in November and a United 737-700 striking the tail of a parked 767-300ER in Chicago the previous October. These situations highlight issues of situational awareness among ground crews, which can lead to damaging collisions, despite the absence of injuries in each case.
While no passengers were harmed in the January 1 incident, it serves as a reminder of the importance of diligence and safety protocols among ground personnel in the aviation sector. Both airlines will now focus on damage assessment and repair, aiming to resume normal operations as soon as possible.
