Family of Seven Sues After Seattle Tarmac Collision Between JAL, Delta Jets

Seven relatives traveling together on a Delta Air Lines flight have now filed injury lawsuits stemming from a February ground collision at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, making them the only known claimants from an incident officially classified as injury-free.

Renardo Robertson became the latest family member to pursue legal action over the February 5 encounter, when a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 wingtip struck the tail section of Delta flight 1921, a Boeing 737 bound for Puerto Vallarta. Robertson alleges the impact caused his body to strike a console, resulting in lower back injuries with radiating symptoms. His complaint references undergoing medical treatment without specifying procedures, timing, or diagnosis.

The collision occurred as the JAL flight 68, arriving from Tokyo Narita, maneuvered through congested ramp areas made slippery by snow and deicing fluid. According to federal investigators, the 787's flight crew misjudged clearance while passing the stationary Delta aircraft, which had its parking brake engaged near a deicing pad. The wingtip contact happened at approximately two knots—roughly 2.3 miles per hour.

Robertson's wife, daughter, son-in-law, two granddaughters, and brother-in-law had previously filed claims related to the same incident. No lawsuits from other passengers aboard either aircraft have been publicly identified. Delta's flight carried 144 passengers and six crew members, while the JAL aircraft transported 172 passengers and 13 crew.

Investigators determined the Japan Airlines crew failed to maintain adequate clearance during taxi operations complicated by multiple routing changes from airport ramp control and poorly marked holding positions. Delta's first officer reportedly observed the approaching wing and alerted the captain, but the aircraft could not maneuver due to deicing vehicles positioned ahead and the absence of ground marshaling assistance.

The National Transportation Safety Board's final accident report documented substantial damage to Delta's vertical stabilizer and minor damage to the JAL wingtip, but recorded zero injuries among the combined 335 passengers and crew members aboard both aircraft. The legal filings present a challenge for Delta, which could face liability despite Japan Airlines being identified as the at-fault party in the collision.