'Somebody hit us': Chilling audio captures UPS-Copa plane collision at Miami airport
MIAMI, FLORIDA: An air traffic control recording has captured the wild exchange between pilots and controllers after a UPS cargo aircraft collided with a Copa Airlines passenger plane at Miami International Airport on Saturday, November 14.
The recording reveals the moment the incident was reported to the tower and the UPS crew was questioned about the contact.
The collision occurred as the two aircraft were moving along intersecting taxiways.
BREAKING: A UPS Boeing 767 has collided with a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 at Miami International Airport (MIA). - ATC audio https://t.co/k3ZWx4nnB2
— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) November 15, 2026
UPS pilot tells tower 'we went too far'
The air traffic control recording offers a glimpse into the confusion immediately following the collision.
The first alert comes from the Copa pilot, who tells the controller, “Somebody hit us.”
The controller then turns to UPS Flight 358, pointing out that the cargo plane had been instructed to let the Copa aircraft pass.
The controller then seeks clarification from the crew, asking: “UPS 358, did you hit that aircraft?”
The pilot's response confirms that the two planes had made contact.
“Yeah, we went too far and he clipped us with his wing,” the UPS pilot says, acknowledging that the UPS aircraft had moved beyond the point where it was supposed to stop or yield.
The collision happened at approximately 9.15 pm on November 14, as the aircraft were moving along the taxiways at Miami International Airport.
@AZ_Intel_ Mom was on the Copa flight. https://t.co/ImigZHvs5Z
— Nelly Nel (@N3lly_Nel) November 15, 2026
FAA investigates taxiway collision
The FAA's preliminary account identifies the point of contact as the intersection of two taxiways, where the wingtip of the Copa Boeing 737 struck the nose of the UPS Boeing 767.
The agency also said that the UPS crew had received instructions to give way to the arriving Copa flight.
The passenger jet had traveled from Panama City with 172 people aboard, including 166 passengers and six crew members.
Despite the impact, the aircraft was able to continue to the terminal, where passengers and crew exited.
NEW: UPS Boeing 767-300F collides with a Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 during taxi at Miami Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration said the wingtip of a Copa Airlines Boeing 737 struck the nose of a UPS Boeing 767 while both aircraft were taxiing around 9 p.m. local time. Air traffic controllers had instructed the UPS crew to give way to the Copa Airlines flight, which was heading to its gate after landing, while the UPS cargo plane was preparing to depart for Bogotá, Colombia, according to the FAA. https://t.co/JzgaZCTZWm
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) November 15, 2026
Two passengers were checked by paramedics after reporting apparent minor injuries.
Their condition did not warrant hospital transfers, and the rest of those aboard were reported to be unharmed.
UPS said its crew was safe and pledged to assist investigators.
The collision did not disrupt flight operations at Miami International Airport.
