2 commuter flights grounded for inspection after wing tips touch on Knoxville, Tenn., tarmac

Wings brush, planes grounded in Knoxville, Tenn.

ALCOA, Tenn. — Officials say some airline passengers were delayed at a Tennessee airport after two planes brushed wings while one was taxiing.

Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority spokeswoman Becky Huckabee said an Allegiant flight bound for Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Fla., and a United Express jet to Chicago were grounded for inspection after the incident at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday.

Huckabee said the United Express jet was preparing to take off and people were beginning to board the Allegiant plane when it happened.

Both carriers used other planes to make those flights.

Huckabee says several passengers didn’t realize there had been contact until they were told to exit the aircraft.