Two separate incidents leave three Virgin Australia planes damaged

TODAY is proving to be a day to forget for Virgin Australia, which is down three aircraft after one veered off the runway and two others clipped wings.

VIRGIN Australia is down three aircraft after two separate incidents in Darwin and Hobart.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating an alarming incident in Darwin this morning, when a 737 flying from Melbourne veered off the runway on landing.

Gusty winds are being blamed for the runway excursion which resulted in minor damage to the plane.

Two investigators from Brisbane have been sent to Darwin to “examine the runway, surrounding area and aircraft as necessary”.

A short time later, two more Virgin Australia planes were involved in a minor collision at Hobart Airport this morning, stranding hundreds of passengers.

One 737-800 scheduled to fly to Sydney was being pushed back from the gate, when its wing struck the wing of another Virgin Australia 737 being prepared for a flight to Melbourne.

Passengers boarding the Melbourne-bound flight reported feeling an “almighty shudder”.

Two planes clip wings at Hobart Airport.

“People were quietly coming on board when we suddenly felt an almighty shudder,” Christopher Lawrence told the ABC.

“[It] visibly rocked the plane — people were almost knocked off their feet.”

Passengers on the Sydney-bound plane were disembarked so the aircraft could be inspected by engineers.

The Melbourne-bound flight was also temporarily grounded for inspection and repairs.

The flight status of both services is currently listed as cancelled, as Virgin Australia makes arrangements for the passengers to be re-accommodated.

A Virgin Australia spokesman confirmed the two aircraft made “light contact at the boarding gates at Hobart Airport”.

“There was no safety risk during this time and engineers are currently inspecting the aircraft,” he said.

“We apologise for the delay to passengers and are working hard to have them on their way as quickly as possible.”

He said the “knock-on” effect to other flights in the Virgin Australia network would be minimal because they had sufficient aircraft to replace the damaged 737s.

The ATSB will conduct a “desk investigation” of the wing clip incident.