A Virgin Atlantic 787 collided with a British Airways Airbus A350 while being pushed back from the terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport, which caused minor damage to both aircraft. The Virgin jet, guided by a tug, struck the tail of the neighboring British Airways jet with its winglets.
According to Daily Mail, UK emergency services swiftly responded to the low-speed impact. A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic said that the incident occurred as their empty aircraft was being towed from the stand at Terminal 3 of Heathrow.
| BREAKING NEWS: At London Heathrow Airport, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 has collided on the ground with a British Airways Airbus A350-1041.pic.twitter.com/q8PylIAweW— (@TheHeraldDiary) April 6, 2024
Underlining customer and crew safety, the airline spokesperson confirmed no passengers were on board during the collision. The British newspaper said an extensive investigation has been launched, with engineering teams conducting thorough maintenance checks on the affected aircraft, which has been temporarily taken out of service.
Eyewitness Alex Whittles recounted the event on Twitter, describing the collision between the Virgin 787 and the BA A350 during pushback. The British Airways jet, having recently arrived from Accra, Ghana, was scheduled to depart at 12:40 pm from Gate 25 at Terminal 3. However, its departure was delayed until 6:30 pm, as indicated on Heathrow Airport’s departure board.
Responding to potential hazards, at least five fire engines rushed to the scene to address any fuel leaks or fire risks. The Air Accident Investigation Branch of the Department of Transport will conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. Key areas of focus include the adequacy of personnel during the pushback process and the circumstances leading to the Virgin jet striking the horizontal stabilizer of the British Airways jet.
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