[Ads /]
While taxiing for takeoff, American Eagle flight 6209 somehow collided with a shuttle bus at O'Hare around 7 p.m.
Both the bus and 50-seat regional jet were loaded with passengers at the time. Kevis Mitchell and his wife were buckled in, aboard the small plane, which was heading to Dayton, Ohio.
"The aircraft just about shifting from left to right, and everyone's looking around, trying to understand what the heck happened," Mitchell said. "We had a jarring impact on the plane, and everyone was basically going from side to side. Shook everybody up pretty good."
The impact of the collision tore a deep gash into the front of the aircraft. O'Hare-based firefighters and EMTs raced across the busy runway to the crash site.
[Ads /]
Two passengers on the shuttle bus had to be taken to Resurrection Hospital with minor injuries, and shaken passengers from both vehicles disembarked out of precaution.
By the glow of emergency lights, airline crews and rescuers ushered passengers back inside an O'Hare gate.
"I'm sure we both I just wanted to get home. You know, I've had quite a few flights, and one of my fellow passengers served in the Marine Corps... for quite a few years, and never had a crash, but I get on American Airlines, and I get hit by a bus," Mitchell said.
American Airlines issued a statement, saying, "An employee bus made contact with American Eagle flight 6209 operated by Air Wisconsin Airlines while the aircraft was taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Six team members onboard the bus are receiving further evaluation at a local hospital and there were no reported injuries onboard the aircraft. The aircraft has been taken out of service and customers have boarded a replacement aircraft to continue on to Dayton, OH (DAY) tonight."