A Korean Air Lines A330 operating as flight KE766 has clipped a parked Cathay Pacific aircraft as it was being pushed back from the parking position prior to a flight from Sapporo, Japan, according to an airline spokesperson.
The Korean aircraft, an Airbus A330-300, was being pushed back at New Chitose Airport (CTS), in Sapporo, on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido on Tuesday 16.
Collision during Korean Air Lines pushback
During the pushback procedure, the aircraft’s left wing tip impacted the horizontal stabiliser assembly of a parked Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300.
The Cathay aircraft was to operate scheduled service CX583 from Sapporo airport to Hong Kong; however the ground collision has caused damage to both aircraft concerned.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 5:30 PM local time came amidst blizzard conditions with snow falling on the tarmac.
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Up to 46 flights have been cancelled in the region due to present inclement weather conditions.
It is understood that no injuries were reported amongst the compliment of approximately 289 passengers on the Korean airlines flight. The Cathay Pacific aircraft was empty at the time of the ground collision.
Korean Air Lines has issued a brief confirming statement to its social media channels saying:
“Regarding KE766 at New Chitose airport. A Korean Air aircraft came into contact with a Cathay aircraft during pushback at New Chitose Airport. There were no injuries and the airline is cooperating with all relevant authorities.”
Today’s ground collision comes just a week after a fatal crash involving a Japan Airlines Airbus A350 and a Japan Coast Guard twin turboprop maritime surveillance aircraft at Japan’s Tokyo Haneda Airport, which claimed the lives of 5 crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard aircraft.
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