Singapore Airlines A350 Clips Spirit Jet at Newark Airport

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 clipped the tail of a parked Spirit Airlines aircraft during a ground incident at Newark Liberty International Airport on March 3, 2026, prompting an investigation by U.S. aviation authorities.

The incident occurred Tuesday morning while the Singapore Airlines aircraft was pushing back from its gate at Terminal B. During the maneuver, the A350’s right wing made contact with the tail section of a stationary Spirit Airlines Airbus A321 that was undergoing deicing procedures before its scheduled departure.

According to airport officials and airline statements, the Spirit aircraft was preparing for a flight from Newark to Orlando, Florida when the collision occurred. The plane was parked on the ramp while ground crews were conducting pre-departure deicing operations.

No injuries were reported among passengers or crew members on either aircraft.

Spirit Airlines confirmed that the A321 involved in the incident was immediately removed from service so that maintenance teams could conduct a full inspection and assess any potential structural damage. The carrier said it arranged alternative transportation for passengers scheduled to travel on the affected flight to Orlando.

The Singapore Airlines aircraft had been preparing for a long-haul departure to Singapore Changi Airport when the contact occurred. The airline delayed the flight while arranging a replacement aircraft to operate the service.

Ground collisions, though relatively rare, can occur during pushback operations when aircraft are moved away from gates by specialized vehicles before taxiing under their own power. Pushback procedures require close coordination between flight crews, ramp personnel and ground equipment operators to ensure sufficient clearance from nearby aircraft and structures.

Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the busiest international gateways in the United States, handling large volumes of both domestic and international flights. Terminal B in particular serves several foreign carriers operating widebody aircraft, including long-haul services to Asia and Europe.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that it has opened an investigation into the incident. Authorities will review pushback procedures, ramp operations and aircraft positioning to determine how the contact occurred.

While the damage appears to have been limited to the aircraft structures involved, such incidents typically require detailed inspections before the planes can return to service. Aviation safety investigators will also examine whether ramp congestion, ground handling procedures or communication issues played any role in the collision.

Both airlines are cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues. Operations at the airport were not significantly disrupted following the incident.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, airlinegeeks.com