Delta plane clips wings with smaller jet preparing to leave Minnesota airport; no one hurt

MINNEAPOLIS — A Delta Air Lines plane clipped wings with a smaller jet as the two were preparing to take off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday night, officials said.

No one was injured in the incident, which happened shortly after 8 p.m., airport spokesman Patrick Hogan said.

The Delta Boeing 757 was bound for Los Angeles with 171 customers on board, according to the airline. The smaller Embraer jet, flown by the Delta feeder Compass Airlines, was bound for Louisville, Kentucky, and had 74 customers on board. Both returned to their gates with wing damage.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Tony Molinaro said the planes collided as the Delta flight was taxiing for departure and the Compass flight was pushing back from the gate. The cause of the collision wasn't immediately known, but the FAA is investigating.

Hogan said passengers were put on other flights and continued on to their destinations. The incident shut down a taxiway Wednesday night, but did not affect other airline schedules, Hogan said.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Keith Holloway said that agency is aware of the incident but has not opened a full investigation.

Delta released a statement saying it was also investigating, and technicians were examining both aircraft.