Aircraft and Registrations
Two Boeing 737-8AS aircraft were involved: EI-EMH (serial number 34974) and EI-EKK (serial number 38500), both manufactured in 2010. Each was powered by two CFM56-7 engines.
Sequence of Events
On 7 October 2014 at approximately 05:45 UTC, dual runway operations were in progress at Dublin Airport (EIDW) from Runway 28 and Runway 34. Ambient lighting was early morning darkness. EI-EKK, destined for Charleroi, was fourth for departure off Runway 28. After taxiing from the central apron via Foxtrot Outer/LINK 5 to TWY E1, it held short of both runways. On LINK 2, the aircraft stopped with parking brake set behind two other aircraft queuing on LINK 1 and TWY E1. EI-EMH, destined for Edinburgh, was following EI-EKK but due to depart from Runway 34. Cleared to taxi via LINK 5 onto the Foxtrots and TWY A, EI-EMH turned right onto LINK 2 and taxied toward TWY A. As it did so, the tip of its port side winglet struck the outer portion of the starboard elevator of the stationary EI-EKK.
Damage
The tip of EI-EMH's port winglet sheared off and embedded in EI-EKK's starboard elevator, then scraped along the underside of the elevator and horizontal stabilizer as EI-EMH continued forward. Both the winglet and elevator were extensively damaged and subsequently replaced.
Aftermath
The crews of both aircraft halted and notified ATC. Passengers were informed via announcements and later bused to the terminal. Both aircraft were shut down, ground power units connected, and airstairs deployed for emergency access. Airport emergency services responded, confirmed aircraft secure, and provided cover until the investigation released the scene at 08:18 hrs. Both aircraft were towed to maintenance hangars. Runway 28 operations resumed at 06:02 hrs after Category 9 fire cover was restored; taxiways were swept and returned to service at 08:59 hrs.
Investigation
AAIU inspectors arrived about one hour after notification. The positions of both aircraft were documented: EI-EKK's nose just over the LINK 2/TWY F1 demarcation, main gear left of centerline; EI-EMH stopped about 15 m short of the LINK 2/TWY A demarcation, nose slightly right of centerline. The flight crew of EI-EMH provided a post-collision photograph from the cockpit. Interviews and ATC transmissions were reviewed. There were no injuries among the 6 crew and 88 passengers on EI-EMH, nor among the 8 crew and 100 passengers on EI-EKK.