Incident Overview

Date: Wednesday 11 May 2016
Aircraft Type: Boeing 777-328ER
Owner/operator: Air France
Registration Number: F-GZNT
Location: Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) – ÿ France
Phase of Flight: Pushback / towing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Component Affected: Wing Tip of Airbus A320Wing Tip of Airbus A320
Investigating Agency: BEABEA
Category: Accident
An Air France Airbus A320 taxiing towards the departure runway at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport was instructed to stop at T4 and wait behind an Air France Boeing 777-300ER. Simultaneously, an Air France Boeing 777-300ER, F-GZNT, was towed to remote parking spot M10. The tug driver instructed the 777 to slow down and pass the A320. During this maneuver, the wing tip of the A320 struck the rudder of the 777.An Air France Airbus A320 taxiing towards the departure runway at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport was instructed to stop at T4 and wait behind an Air France Boeing 777-300ER. Simultaneously, an Air France Boeing 777-300ER, F-GZNT, was towed to remote parking spot M10. The tug driver instructed the 777 to slow down and pass the A320. During this maneuver, the wing tip of the A320 struck the rudder of the 777.

Description

Air France flight 1084 was taxiing towards the departure runway at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. The aircraft, an Airbus A320, used taxiway R and was instructed to stop at T4 and wait behind an Airbus A319. At the same time, an Air France Boeing 777-300ER, F-GZNT, was being towed to remote parking spot M10. The tug driver was instructed to stop behind the A320. After a few minutes the controller radioed the person in the flight deck of the 777 if they were able to pass the A320. He in turn contacted the tug driver, who reported that he would move slowly and pass the A320. During this manoeuvre the wing tip struck the rudder of the A320. BEA stated that this accident and previous accidents have shown that it may be difficult to assess the distances between the end wing tips and obstacles from the cockpit or from a tug. The final report did not contain a Probable Cause statement.

Primary Cause

Difficulties in assessing distances between end wing tips and obstacles due to cockpit and tug operator visibility during the maneuver.Difficulties in assessing distances between end wing tips and obstacles due to cockpit and tug operator visibility during the maneuver.

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