Two Southwest planes made contact at Rhode Island's T.F. Green Airport on June 11 when Flight 3515's wing struck Flight 3409's tail during pushback at about 10:45 p.m. Passengers on Flight 3515 say several people had to shout to alert the crew after the impact. Both flights returned to their gates, were deplaned and later canceled; FlightAware shows both were rescheduled for the next day. Southwest says customers were reaccommodated and both aircraft will be thoroughly inspected while the FAA investigates.
Passengers Say They Had to Yell After Two Southwest Planes Touched at T.F. Green — FAA Investigating
A Southwest Airlines aircraft.Credit: Kevin Carter/Getty
Two Southwest Airlines aircraft made contact late on June 11 at Providence's T.F. Green International Airport, prompting an FAA inquiry and ground inspections by the carrier.
What Happened
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed to PEOPLE that at about 10:45 p.m. local time, the wing of Southwest Flight 3515 struck the tail of Southwest Flight 3409 as Flight 3515 was pushing back onto a taxiway. Both aircraft returned to their gates and passengers were deplaned. The FAA says it will investigate the incident.
A Southwest Airlines aircraft taking off.Credit: Kevin Carter/Getty
Passenger Accounts
Passengers aboard Flight 3515 told a reporter from local outlet NBC 10 that several travelers had to shout to get the flight crew's attention after the two planes made contact while taxiing. One passenger, moved to a window seat because the flight was not full, said he noticed his aircraft drawing closer to another plane during pushback and "didn't think we would collide." He added that the plane continued to move after the impact and that multiple people speaking up were needed before crew members appeared to realize what had happened.
Flight Disruptions
Flight tracking site FlightAware shows both Flight 3515 and Flight 3409 were canceled after the event and later rescheduled for the following day: Flight 3515 bound for Washington, D.C., and Flight 3409 due to resume to Chicago. Southwest said it has "reaccommodated the affected customers."
Southwest Airlines aircraft.Credit: Kevin Carter/Getty
Airline Statement and Safety Steps
Southwest Airlines: "Southwest Airlines is aware of an incident involving two of our aircraft at Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport. We are investigating further and will be thoroughly inspecting the two aircraft. Nothing is more important to Southwest Airlines than the safety of our employees and our customers."
The airline confirmed that both planes will undergo detailed inspections and that affected customers have been reaccommodated.
Broader Context
Ground contact between parked or taxiing aircraft is uncommon but not unprecedented. In recent months, there have been other ground wing-strike incidents — including two United jets at San Francisco International Airport in May and another wing contact at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — underscoring the FAA's attention to ground safety procedures.
The FAA's investigation and the subsequent inspections of both Southwest aircraft are ongoing. No injuries have been reported publicly.
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