Incident Overview

Date: Sunday 6 November 2005
Aircraft Type: Boeing 777-223ER
Owner/operator: American Airlines
Registration Number: N781AN
Location: London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) – ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 279
Component Affected: The winglets of both aircraft.The winglets of both aircraft.
Investigating Agency: AAIBAAIB
Category: Accident
An American Airlines Boeing 777-223ER and a Turkish Airlines Airbus A340-300 experienced a ground collision accident in the Holding Area for runway 27L at London Heathrow Airport. Both aircraft were positioned within the holding area, initially aligned on a single yellow taxiway centreline. The Boeing 777 was holding in tandem with a Boeing 737-800, and the Airbus A340 was instructed to taxi to N2E. Upon passing behind the B777, the A340?s right winglet struck the B777?s left elevator, causing damage to the B777?s left wing tip.An American Airlines Boeing 777-223ER and a Turkish Airlines Airbus A340-300 experienced a ground collision accident in the Holding Area for runway 27L at London Heathrow Airport. Both aircraft were positioned within the holding area, initially aligned on a single yellow taxiway centreline. The Boeing 777 was holding in tandem with a Boeing 737-800, and the Airbus A340 was instructed to taxi to N2E. Upon passing behind the B777, the A340?s right winglet struck the B777?s left elevator, causing damage to the B777?s left wing tip.

Description

An American Airlines Boeing 777-223ER (N781AN) and a Turkish Airlines Airbus A340-300 (TC-JDK) suffered a ground collision accident in the Holding Area for runway 27L at London Heathrow Airport Aircraft entering the Holding Area prior to departure from runway 27L initially follow a single yellow taxiway centreline, which splits into two parallel lines within the holding area. This is wide enough for two ?heavy/widebody? aircraft to position side by side when lined up on the parallel lines. Prior to departure, the Boeing 777 was holding, in turn, at N2W behind a Boeing 737-800 in the Holding Area. Whilst in this position, the Airbus A340 was instructed to taxi to N2E. As it passed behind the B777, the A340?s right winglet made contact with the B777?s left elevator and its left wing tip. The A340 had not reached the section of the line parallel to that upon which the B777 was parked.

Primary Cause

A collision between the two aircraft?s winglets during a maneuver in the holding area.A collision between the two aircraft?s winglets during a maneuver in the holding area.

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