- ATSB has launched an investigation into a near collision between a Jetstar A320 and a Qatar Airways 777 at Sydney Airport
- A Jetstar crew member sustained injuries and damage occurred to the aircraft tug connection
- The Jetstar pilot applied emergency braking to avoid a collision with the Qatar jet under tow
- Early information indicated the tug operator did not follow air traffic control instructions
- Sydney Airport flights have experienced delays following the morning incident
- ATSB launched investigation collecting data from aircraft, ATC and crew
- Early information suggests tug operator did not follow air traffic control instructions
Safety regulators have launched an investigation into a “near collision” between two passenger aircraft at Australia’s busiest airport that injured a crew member. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has been collecting data from both aircraft and air traffic control since the incident occurred this morning at Sydney Airport. Investigators have interviewed crew members and tug operators to determine the cause of the near collision.
The incident involved a Jetstar Airbus A320 taxiing for a flight to the Gold Coast when its crew observed a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 under tow from an aircraft tug in close proximity on a crossing taxiway. A cabin crew member aboard the Jetstar A320 sustained injuries, and damage occurred to the connection between the 777 nose gear and the aircraft tug as both planes stopped abruptly. The Jetstar pilot applied sudden brakes to avoid crashing into the Qatar Airways jet, which disrupted operations at the airport.
Flights at Sydney Airport have experienced delays following the incident, Airservices Australia confirmed. A Jetstar spokeswoman confirmed that the aircraft followed instructions from Air Traffic Control when the pilots braked firmly after another aircraft came in close proximity. Paramedics treated the injured crew member at the scene. An official not authorised to speak publicly confirmed that early information suggested the tug pulling the Qatar plane did not follow air traffic control instructions. Qatar Airways did not respond to a request for comment.
The incident, which involved a Jetstar pilot being forced to apply sudden brakes to avoid crashing into a Qatar Airways jet this morning, disrupted operations at Sydney Airport. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau said a Jetstar Airbus A320 was taxiing for a flight to the Gold Coast when its crew observed a Qatar Airways Boeing 777, under tow from an aircraft tug, in close proximity on a crossing taxiway.
Investigators are collecting data from both aircraft, air traffic control, and interviewing crew and tug operators to determine the cause of the near collision, the regulator said. It called for witnesses at the airport to send in any video of the near collision. Flights at Sydney Airport are experiencing delays after the incident.
Jetstar sshared: “Our aircraft was following instructions by Air Traffic Control when the pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft came in close proximity,. A Jetstar crew member moving through the cabin was injured when the plane abruptly stopped and later treated by paramedics
ATSB shared: “A cabin crew member aboard the A320 was injured, and there was damage to the connection between the 777 nose gear and aircraft tug.”
