An accident happened on the ground at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) between a plane and bus, and it unfortunately caused some hospitalizations. I first wrote about this yesterday, but there are now pictures of the damage to the plane, and it’s much more extensive than I was expecting. This plane will be out of service for some time.
In this post:
American plane & bus crash at LAX
Shortly after 10PM on Friday evening, an American Airlines Airbus A321 and a bus collided at LAX. The jet didn’t have any passengers onboard, but rather was being towed by ground personnel using a tug. Meanwhile the bus was carrying passengers between American’s Terminals 4/5 and the American Eagle terminal, which is a remote terminal that’s not otherwise connected to the main terminals (this is often referred to as the “Eagle’s Nest”).
It’s not yet entirely clear how this accident happened, but since planes always have the right of way over buses on taxiways, it seems likely that the bus driver may have been at fault. Footage from the scene shows some major skid marks from the aircraft, which suggests that the driver of the tug saw this happening and tried to avoid an accident.
Unfortunately at least four people have been hospitalized due to this incident, including the bus driver, the person towing the plane, and two passengers on the bus. Hopefully they all make a quick recovery, as they’re reportedly not in critical condition.
Based on images from the scene, it appears that the bus was most damaged around the front left windshield. Interestingly when rescue personnel arrived, the plane was quite far from the bus, so it’s not clear if it was moved after the fact, or what happened.
This wasn’t just an accident between the tug and bus, though, as the plane also sustained significant damage. The plane involved in this incident has the registration code N193UW, and you can see some pictures of the damage below. I can’t imagine this will be flying again anytime soon.
I’m surprised this doesn’t happen more often
Having taken the bus to American’s “Eagle’s Nest” more times than I can count, I can’t help but point out how carelessly so many of the drivers perform their jobs. I’ve seen drivers try to speed up to cut off planes, text and drive, and just generally act as if they’re swerving through Miami traffic (I’m convinced we have the world’s worst drivers), rather than driving a bus carrying passengers who are standing and without seatbelts.
While I of course hate to see this happen, I unfortunately can’t say that I’m surprised, and I’m amazed it doesn’t happen more often. I’m curious what an investigation reveals in terms of how this happened, and what changes are made to avoid this in the future.
Bottom line
Late Friday night, an American Airlines A321 being towed and a bus crashed on the ground at LAX. The bus unfortunately had passengers onboard, and there ended up being four hospitalizations, and further minor injuries. Furthermore, the plane sustained serious damage, and will likely be out of service for quite some time.
Given my experience with how the bus drivers at LAX often perform their duties, I can’t say I’m surprised.
What do you make of this incident at LAX?
As someone who has (limited) permission to drive airside at a decent sized airport, I can assure you that this will end up being the bus drivers' fault. Airport authorities make is crystal clear to you that aircraft ALWAYS have the right of way. Even if they're being towed. And, you must also give them a wide berth, even if they're just parked. Those are basic rules, and that's not getting into which lines were...
As someone who has (limited) permission to drive airside at a decent sized airport, I can assure you that this will end up being the bus drivers' fault. Airport authorities make is crystal clear to you that aircraft ALWAYS have the right of way. Even if they're being towed. And, you must also give them a wide berth, even if they're just parked. Those are basic rules, and that's not getting into which lines were crossed by whom. The aircraft gets first dibs....always.
Miami does on average have the worst drivers in the USA. Utterly reckless and dangerous.
Im wondering what are the qualifications and pay for airport bus drivers, and the number of hours per shift?
Not that it matters that much but who do the drivers work for? AA, AE or a subcontractor? You really do get what you pay for.
LAX is just begging for this to happen. Between the AA disconnected terminal, the shuttles connecting 3 to Bradley, and Alaska planes just dumping people on the tarmac at the end of 25R (it's happened to me four times), there is way too much vehicle traffic. As in typical Los Angeles fashion, they will wait for a death and then install traffic lights rather than reduce traffic.
Back in my SF340 flying days at LAX in the early 2000s, we always referred to the satellite terminal as the “Chicken Coop”! Maybe this was just a crew nickname…..who knows?? It also was in a different location prior to the expansion of TBIT. Hoping for a speedy recovery to those who were injured!
They call it the Eagle's Nest now. More regal name, same crappy bungalow.
Lol….very true….but I do believe the current version has an AC whereas the chicken coop definitely did not!!
The eagles nest should never have been a permanent solution to start with. All that bus traffic combined with all the other traffic at LAX, it is a miracle worse has not happened.
I believe it will close once the southern portion of the midfield concourse is completed and terminal 4 rebuilt.
How can’t a bus driver see a f…ing plane??
@santastico
You don’t think the tug driver made a sharp turn and jackknifed the bus ?
Must have hit an engine or wheel because those buses can clear under the wings.
Sorry but the bus had to stay far enough of the plane so if a tug makes a sharp turn he is safe. Or do you ride the ass of a semi on a highway? It is called safe driving.
@Santastico
Why did the tug back up then after the accident ? I’d be accusing the bus driver 100% if I was towing the plane. There’s no evidence. Ramp agents always point the finger. They don’t wanna lose their job.
undoubtedly the bus driver is at fault.
The larger point is that AA is still bussing passengers to the Eagle's nest which is not just a safety risk but a huge PIA.
AA has fallen from the #1 airline at LAX; just use regular terminal facilities like everyone else.
AA T4 is down a number of gates due to construction; 1 due to the construction of the connecting facility to T5, and another 4-5 at the end of T4 as I guess they’re updating and re-aligning the gates. I recently saw them have 5 aircraft at TBIT gates as they’re short on gate capacity at T4. The plan is for the Eagle operation to move to T5 once the midfield terminal is expanded, as...
AA T4 is down a number of gates due to construction; 1 due to the construction of the connecting facility to T5, and another 4-5 at the end of T4 as I guess they’re updating and re-aligning the gates. I recently saw them have 5 aircraft at TBIT gates as they’re short on gate capacity at T4. The plan is for the Eagle operation to move to T5 once the midfield terminal is expanded, as well as the building of the new T9, which will require the demolition of the Eagle nest anyways … it will be connected to the T7/T8 complex, built over Sepulveda Blvd.
And though AA has reduced international ops at LAX, the domestic ops is the same, and at “Rush Hour” gate availability will always be a challenge.
I am aware of the long term plans for AA at LAX from a facilities standpoint as well as of the pending doom of the Eagle's nest.
and AA is indeed smaller domestically than it was pre-covid; the DOT has stats to show that and AA"s decision as well as DL's faster reinstatement of capacity at LAX is why DL has overtaken AA as the largest carrier at LAX and why that is unlikely to change.
long live delta!!
If you are so knowledgeable about the LAX terminal operations and development, then why do you contradict yourself by saying AA Eagle should operate from the main terminal complex, knowing full well that they don’t have the gates?!?!
I’ll agree with you re the flight stats, however. We’ll see what happens after all the renovation dust settles.
Well there you have it. Jesus has spoken. No need for an investigation.
Ben those buses have roads to drive on with checker paint borders. Surprised you’re so quick to point the finger at the bus driver. We’ve all been to the “eagles nest” a ton of times. I always sit in the front seat on the right hand side to get a good view for plane spotting.
Ofcourse the tug driver would deny any fault initially and point a finger because they don’t want to lose their job. Both the tug and bus drivers will be tested for alcohol and drugs.
D3kingg - absent evidence that the tow operation went "off roading" (out of control for some reason), aircraft have priority in the movement areas. Standard LAWA - as well as other airports - protocol.
AA: "If you're lucky, you'll get an operator of your vehicle on the ground who knows where they are and what they're doing."
Ending up in the hospital may be slightly favorable to reaching the Eagle’s Nest. Likely a better vibe and aesthetic.
For all the attention to safety that we endure when flying I have long thought it was so ironic that when being bussed to terminals it mostly involves overpacked buses with no safety in the hands of drivers that are clearly not trained properly. It's a major accident waiting to happen. And we are seeing a small preview with this one.
Of course, my favorite during the midst of Covid restrictions were the mobile...
For all the attention to safety that we endure when flying I have long thought it was so ironic that when being bussed to terminals it mostly involves overpacked buses with no safety in the hands of drivers that are clearly not trained properly. It's a major accident waiting to happen. And we are seeing a small preview with this one.
Of course, my favorite during the midst of Covid restrictions were the mobile lounges at IAD, which are always packed to the point of absurdity. A recording used to play that said, "Passengers should remember to social distance at all times on the Mobile Lounge." Oh the laughter as 200 people shoved in together face to face.