Ricky Schroder -- I'M REALLY SORRY ... But I Didn't Hit That Woman

Ricky Schroder says he never, ever EVER assaulted a female airport worker at LAX this week ... and tells TMZ the only thing he's guilty of doing ... is hurting her feelings.

The former "Silver Spoons" actor was getting ready to board a train at Union Station in D.C. moments ago when we asked about the allegations he roughed up a ticket checker while trying to get to his gate at LAX on Monday.

Schroder was adamant ... he didn't assault anyone and called the whole thing a "complete misunderstanding."

Still, Schroder seems to acknowledge there was contact between the two during a hurried and frantic exchange ... telling us, "My phone dropped and I went to grab it .. and that's what happened.'

The actor also directed a few words towards his accuser -- saying, "I apologize to you, Miss, if I hurt your feelings and I didn't mean to."