The Australian transport safety regulator has announced the opening of an investigation after a narrowly avoided collision on Sunday morning between two airliners on the tarmac at Sydney Airport, which however left one person injured.
An A320 from the low-cost airline Jetstar which was taxiing to take off for a domestic flight had to brake suddenly to avoid a large Qatar Airways Boeing 777 which was being towed, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
A photo published by local media shows the two planes on the tarmac at Australia’s busiest airport, with the imposing Boeing appearing extremely close to the right side of the Airbus.
“A member of the A320 crew was injured, and damage was noted between the nose gear of the B-777 and the aircraft tug” following the abrupt braking of the two aircraft, details the organization’s press release.
Jetstar said its injured employee was moving in the cabin at the time of braking. He was taken care of by an ambulance.
“Our aircraft was following air traffic control instructions when the pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft appeared very close,” detailed a company spokesperson. Qatar Airways has not commented on the facts.
According to the first available information, the vehicle towing the Boeing did not follow air traffic control instructions, an official familiar with the investigation told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The regulator said it was collecting data from the two planes as well as air traffic control, and questioning the personnel involved. She also launched a call for witnesses looking for possible videos.
The incident caused delays at Sydney Airport, according to the body overseeing the aviation sector.
