History
On May 5, 2012, at 22:22 UTC, an Airbus A330-243 (registration A6-EYN) was pushing back from stand 122 at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). The aircraft, operating as flight EY057 to Brussels, carried 249 passengers and 11 crew. During the pushback maneuver, the right winglet of the A330 contacted the left wingtip of a Boeing 777-300 (registration A6-ETD) parked at adjacent stand 121. The Boeing 777, operating as flight EY418 to Kuala Lumpur, was stationary with passengers boarding and refueling.
Damage
Both aircraft sustained damage. The A330's right wingtip/winglet assembly was damaged beyond acceptable dispatch limits and was removed in accordance with the Configuration Deviation List (CDL). The aircraft departed after a three-hour nineteen-minute delay at 01:49 UTC on May 6, 2012. The Boeing 777's left wingtip/winglet assembly was also damaged beyond dispatch limits, with significant structural damage to secondary components requiring assembly replacement. The aircraft was declared AOG (Aircraft On Ground); passengers were disembarked and the aircraft was towed to a repair facility. No other damage was reported.
Personnel
All flight crew and ground personnel held valid licenses and medical certificates. The flight crew of both aircraft were properly licensed, medically certified, and adequately rested. The pushback tractor driver held a valid airport driver's license and an Aircraft Pushback and Towing Permit for Class S Ground Support Equipment.
Cockpit Visibility
From the First Officer's seated position in the A330 cockpit, the visible range was limited to 135 degrees from the aircraft's longitudinal axis. The area from 135 to 180 degrees constituted a wingtip blind spot.