On 3 March 2026, Singapore Airlines flight SQ21, Airbus A350-941, reg 9V-SGA, made contact with a Spirit Airlines A321neo operating NK992, reg N720NK, during pushback at Newark Liberty (EWR), Terminal B. Preliminary FAA information indicated SQ21’s right wing struck the tail/rudder area of the Spirit aircraft, which Spirit said was parked for de-icing in an area not actively managed by ATC at the time.
No injuries were reported, and passengers deplaned normally. Spirit’s A321neo was taken out of service for inspection/maintenance after visible damage (reported as a tear to the rudder), and the Orlando-bound flight was disrupted. Singapore Airlines’ A350 returned to the gate, underwent engineering checks, and SQ21 ultimately departed later after a delay as the FAA opened an investigation into the ground collision.
Images: @aviationlknowledge, ABC7