1 hurt when American Eagle plane hits pushback tractor at Charlotte airport

One person was hurt when an American Eagle plane hit a tug at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Wednesday, American Airlines said.

The tug’s driver was hospitalized in stable condition, according to the airline.

Flight 5233 from Charleston, W. Va., hit the tug as the plane taxied to its gate, the airline said in a statement.

Tugs, also called pushback tractors, push planes backwards away from gates.

The incident happened at about 4 p.m. near the north side of the E terminal, Observer news partner WBTV reported.

The fire department and medical workers responded immediately, according to American Airlines.

Planes on the north side of the E Terminal were unable to move until the investigation was complete.

Fliers were told to expect some residual delays for regional flights departing and arriving Charlotte, the airline said.

The FAA lifted a ground stop at 5:26 p.m. and regional flights resumed, the airport tweeted. “The Airport is open and operational,” airport officials said

This story was originally published September 13, 2017 at 9:21 PM with the headline "1 hurt when American Eagle plane hits pushback tractor at Charlotte airport."