Incident Overview
On January 21, 2025, at 12:54 local time, a Boeing 787-9 operated by a foreign airline from the Netherlands was undergoing a pushback procedure at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCEL) in Chile. The aircraft, which had been manufactured in 2018 and accumulated 35,152 flight hours prior to the event, was preparing for departure on a regular passenger transport flight.
Sequence of Events
The pushback maneuver was executed using a tow tractor and a tow bar. As the operation concluded and the aircraft was nearing disconnection from the ground equipment, Engine No. 2 (right) registered an unintended acceleration. This unexpected thrust caused the aircraft to shift laterally toward its left side. The movement resulted in damage to the tow bar used for the maneuver.
Damage and Injuries
Investigations confirmed that the aircraft itself sustained no structural or mechanical damage. Post-incident inspections by the manufacturer and engine specialists found no faults, and functional tests of the engine control systems yielded no observations. The nose landing gear tires showed wear consistent with the movement, but the gear system remained undamaged.
There were no injuries reported among the 11 crew members (2 pilots and 9 cabin crew), the 273 passengers (271 adults and 2 infants), or any ground support personnel. The only recorded damage was to the tow bar.
Investigation Status
The investigation is conducted by the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 standards. As of this preliminary report, the investigation remains in the analysis phase. Data from the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder, along with detailed maintenance records and witness statements, are reserved for the final report to determine the specific cause and issue safety recommendations.