China Southern A380 Collides With Airport Tug Vehicle at LAX

A China Southern jet collided late Thursday with an airport tug vehicle at Los Angeles International Airport.

Two flights were canceled due to the collision, involving an Airbus 380 that was preparing for takeoff. Two other flights were delayed.

The airport vehicle driver suffered minor injuries, according airport officials. Paramedics responded to the location near Gate 159.

No one was injured among Flight 328’s 447 passengers and flight crew. The plane was about to depart for Guangzhou, a port city northwest of Hong Kong.

It was not immediately known what led to the collision, which occurred in a taxi lane between the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) and Terminal 4. Photos showed the damaged tug vehicle under the front of the plane.

Passengers deplaned by using portable stairs and were returned to TBIT, and were accommodated via re-scheduling refunds or hotel rooms,” LAX spokesman Frederick Badlissi told City News Service. “While awaiting accommodations and rescheduling, passengers were provided bottled water and snacks.”

At 4:30 a.m., the aircraft, which sustained nose gear door damage, was towed back to a Tom Bradley International Terminal gate.

NBCLosAngeles