A close call at London's Heathrow Airport on saw two passenger planes collide on the ground, prompting a thorough investigation. The incident, thankfully, resulted in no injuries and minimal disruption to airport operations. The mishap involved a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 and a stationary British Airways Airbus A350. The Virgin Atlantic aircraft, having completed its flight, was being towed to a different part of the airfield when its wingtip clipped the wing of the parked British Airways plane.
Virgin Atlantic 787-9 collides with a British Airways A350-1041 on the ground at London Heathrow.
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Social media footage captured the incident, showing minor damage to the wings of both aircraft. Fortunately, the Virgin Atlantic aircraft was empty at the time of the collision, as all passengers had disembarked upon arrival. British Airways, on the other hand, confirmed the parked plane had passengers on board, but none were reported injured. Both airlines immediately grounded the involved aircraft for a comprehensive inspection by engineering teams. Virgin Atlantic launched a full investigation into the cause of the incident, with an aim to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Heathrow Airport authorities also joined forces with emergency services to ensure the safety and security of the situation. While the incident caused a stir, it did not lead to any delays in scheduled flights. This near miss highlights the importance of stringent safety protocols at airports, particularly during ground handling operations. The investigation will likely focus on factors such as communication between ground crew, towing procedures, and potential mechanical issues.
The aviation industry maintains a commendable safety record, and this incident serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required to uphold those standards. The swift response by airport personnel and airlines ensured the situation was contained effectively, and hopefully, the investigation will shed light on how to prevent such occurrences in the future.