Passengers Sued Delta and Spirit After Cleveland Collision
Five passengers filed a lawsuit following a May 2024 collision at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Air Travel
Five passengers filed a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines and Spirit Airlines following a ground collision on May 12, 2024, at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The incident involved a taxiing Delta aircraft striking a parked Spirit jet, leading to claims of physical injury and negligence.
Why it matters
The lawsuit alleges that Delta operated its aircraft too closely to the parked Spirit plane while Spirit failed to maintain safe boarding conditions. Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The litigation involves Delta flight DL2577 and Spirit flight NK655. Spirit removed the impacted aircraft from service for a technical inspection following the collision.
The players
Delta Air Lines
This major airline is being sued for its role in the ground collision at the airport.
Spirit Airlines
This carrier is named in the lawsuit and is currently navigating bankruptcy proceedings.
Patricia Gaughan
She is the federal judge presiding over the transferred lawsuit in Cleveland.
The details
The complaint states that the wingtip of the taxiing Delta plane made contact with the stationary Spirit aircraft while passengers were either aboard or in the process of boarding. The legal action has been transferred to federal court, where it is currently overseen by Judge Patricia Gaughan.
Timeline
May 12, 2024: The ground collision occurred at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
Travel Outlook
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding ground traffic safety within the highly congested U.S. airport network. It follows the 2024 FAA ground collision safety audits, reflecting a period of intense scrutiny into taxiway procedures and aircraft proximity standards.
Spirit Airlines passengers should remain aware that the company is currently involved in bankruptcy proceedings, which may affect long-term travel reliability. Legal observers note that the portion of this lawsuit involving Spirit is expected to face delays as a result of that process.
The takeaway
Travelers involved in airport ground incidents are encouraged to document all physical symptoms and retain detailed records of medical expenses for potential legal claims. This case serves as a reminder of the complex liability issues that can arise when multiple carriers operate in shared airport space.
Further reading
Learn more about local aviation updates in the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Aviation Pros.
