Two Southwest Airlines flights clipped each other during pushback at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport earlier this week, forcing passengers on southwest airlines bwi wing clip flight 1048 and flight 562 to change planes. Southwest said the aircraft were immediately removed from service after the contact.
The flights involved were 1048 to Connecticut and 562 to Houston. Southwest said no passengers were injured, and the airline said, “Safety is their top priority for both passengers and employees.”
BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport
The pilot of flight 1048 told air traffic controllers, “Hey, ground, Southwest 1048, we had contact between the 2 aircraft back here,” and added, “We’re going to need to taxi straight ahead back to Alpha 7.” The collision caused minor damage to the wingtips.
The FAA said the area where the planes made contact is typically one where air traffic controllers do not have any communication with the crew. That leaves pushback at the gate dependent on close handling by flight crews as aircraft move away from the terminal.
Southwest Flights 1048 And 562
Dwain Celistan, a frequent flier, said, “It’s becoming more frequent and more concerning, but I still believe it’s the safest way to travel and so while it does occur it’s so infrequent as to not deter me from wanting to fly.” His view matches the practical concern for passengers on the two flights: the trip did not end at the gate, and travelers had to switch to different aircraft before continuing.
Southwest said an internal review was underway by May 7, 2026. The incident now leaves the airline to sort out what led two planes leaving adjacent gates to back into each other, while passengers on both flights moved on in separate aircraft.
