AAIB investigation to Boeing 787-9, G-VDIA / Airbus A350-1041, G-XWBC
Boeing 787-9 (G-VDIA) and Airbus A350-1041 (G-XWBC), ground collision during aircraft pushback at London Heathrow Airport, 6 April 2024
During a pushback operation to reposition G-VDIA, the aircraft’s left wingtip struck the right horizontal stabiliser of G-XWBC. Both aircraft were damaged but there were no injuries. The operator of G-VDIA found that the pushback tug turned too soon, so the pushback did not follow the correct angle. Contrary to their company airport operating manual, the pushback was conducted without wing walkers; a wing walker on the left side of the aircraft would probably have seen the impending collision and could have stopped the pushback operation.
Safety actions were implemented by the aircraft and airport operators in response to this serious incident.
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