Two passenger aircraft narrowly avoided a collision on the apron at Sydney Airport in Australia on Sunday, with the incident leaving one crew member injured and causing damage to an aircraft towing connection.
According to a report by Reuters, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into the incident involving a Jetstar A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777.
The Jetstar aircraft was preparing to depart for Queensland’s Gold Coast when its flight crew spotted the Qatar Airways aircraft on a crossing taxiway. The Boeing 777 was being towed by an aircraft tug at the time.
The ATSB said both aircraft were brought to an abrupt stop, preventing what could have been a serious collision.
A Jetstar cabin crew member was injured during the incident. Meanwhile, the connection between the front landing gear of the Qatar Airways aircraft and the tug towing it was damaged.
Australia’s national carrier Qantas, which owns Jetstar, said it had also begun an investigation into the incident.
A Jetstar spokesperson said the aircraft had been following air traffic control instructions when another aircraft came too close, forcing its pilots to brake heavily.
“ Our aircraft was following air traffic control instructions. When another aircraft came very close, the pilots were forced to brake heavily,” the spokesperson said.
The ATSB is examining the circumstances surrounding the near miss, including the movements of both aircraft on the airport apron.
Qatar Airways had not immediately responded to requests for comment, according to the report.
The incident has raised fresh questions about aircraft movements and ground safety at busy airports, where aircraft, towing vehicles and other ground equipment operate in close proximity.
