Qantas 737s in ground collision at Perth Airport, after flight crew allegedly followed wrong track
The airline’s pilots are believed to have followed the wrong track to a gate at Perth Airport, resulting in a minor collision between two 737s.
The flight crew of a Qantas Boeing 737 that collided with another Qantas 737 at Perth Airport on Sunday night, was believed to be following the wrong track to the gate.
About 8.45pm Western Standard Time, a 737 arriving into Perth from Canberra was approaching the gate at a speed of about 5km/h when its wingtip clipped the wingtip of a stationary 737 at the adjacent gate.
Customers and crew disembarking the stationary 737 which had arrived from Brisbane, felt a jolt when the collision occurred, but it was not severe enough to cause falls or injury.
A Qantas spokeswoman said the captain assessed the situation and advised customers to continue to disembark as usual.
“Engineers are inspecting both aircraft and an investigation is underway,” said the spokeswoman.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was also gathering information as officials considered whether a former investigation was needed.
Industry sources suggested the approaching 737 was following the wrong track to the gate, by way of explanation for the minor collision, which happen rarely at Australian airports even in very busy periods.
It was expected an investigation would look at the distance between gates at Perth Airport, the clarity of the track markings, weather conditions at the time, any fatigue issues, and the communication between ground crews and pilots.
Monday afternoon both 737s involved in the collision remained on the ground in Perth.
Australian and International Pilots Association president Tony Lucas said typically numerous factors contributed to such incidents, and the investigation would review all of them.
“AIPA will support our members, Qantas and the ATSB in the conduct of the investigation,” said Captain Lucas.
Last week, the ATSB launched an investigation into an incident involving a Qantas A380, after a small tool missing for two months turned up behind the fan blades of an engine on the aircraft.
The superjumbo had conducted daily flights between Australia and the US in the time that the compressor turning tool was reported missing.
A report is expected by the end of the year.
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