Plane collides with luggage tug in Detroit

ROMULUS, Mich. — A regional jet collided with a small vehicle on a Detroit Metropolitan Airport taxiway Thursday, damaging the airplane and injuring the vehicle driver, authorities said.

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No one on the Northwest Airlink plane was hurt in the accident, which happened shortly before 6 a.m., airport spokesman Mike Conway said.

The plane, carrying 21 passengers and three crew members, had just arrived from Grand Rapids and was taxiing to the gate at the time. The cause of the accident was under investigation.

The driver of the Delta luggage tug was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, Conway said.

The jet, operated by Pinnacle Airlines, suffered damage to the left wing and began leaking fuel, which spilled on the ground. Crews called to the scene sprayed foam as a precaution, Pinnacle spokesman Joe Williams said.

Passengers were taken to the terminal by shuttle bus, Conway said. Other flights were not affected.

Northwest Airlink is part of Northwest Airlines, which recently was acquired by Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc.