Background
On 31 October 2018, two Airbus A330 aircraft were operating from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport under easterly wind operations. The Air France A330-200, registered F-GZCI, was performing flight AFR498 to Saint-Martin. The Delta Air Lines A330-300, registered N817NW, was operating flight DAL97 to Detroit. Visibility was greater than 10 km.
Sequence of Events
At 09:38:51, the south-west ground controller cleared AFR498 to taxi via taxiways R and T3 to the holding point of runway 08L. At 09:41:02, the controller asked AFR498 to hold its position due to other aircraft taxiing on taxiway N. Twenty seconds later, the AFR498 crew proposed lining up via T4, and the controller cleared them. AFR498 then taxied toward T4.
At 09:42:11, DAL97 contacted the south-west ground controller and reported being on taxiway R. The controller cleared them to taxi on taxiway F. At 09:42:55, AFR498 was transferred to the tower frequency while at taxiway RT1 with parking brake applied, as the second aircraft behind an Airbus A320 at the T4 holding point.
Between 09:44:01 and 09:44:09, the DAL97 crew discussed the short distance separating them from the Air France aircraft on their left. The aircraft was taxiing on the centre line of taxiway R. At 09:44:08, the DAL97 captain stopped behind AFR498 and then resumed at very low speed. The relief pilot noted the small separation margin, but the captain judged it sufficient and continued.
At 09:44:24, the DAL97 captain estimated the distance between the two aircraft as ten feet. At 09:44:30, flight data recorders from both aircraft recorded acceleration variations compatible with a collision. Cockpit voice recorders captured the crews feeling a jolt. The collision occurred while AFR498 was stationary at the holding point and DAL97 was taxiing past.
After the collision, the DAL97 crew initially attributed the jolt to jet blast from the A320 ahead. At 09:44:52, a cabin crew member informed them of a passenger seeing the left wing strike another aircraft. At 09:45:14, a towing agent reported the damage over the ground frequency. The ground controller then informed DAL97 of the wingtip damage. At 09:47:26, the towing agent noted damage to the bottom of the trimmable horizontal stabilizer (THS) of AFR498. At 09:48:45, the tower controller instructed AFR498 to maintain position due to the strike.
Both flights cancelled their departures and taxied back to parking.
Damage
F-GZCI sustained damage to the THS, tail cone, and APU compartment. Temperature sensors in the tail cone were also damaged. Manufacturer analysis indicated the APU doors might have detached during take-off, and the asymmetry would not affect handling but would increase fuel consumption.
N817NW sustained damage to the tip of its left wing.
Similar Events
Since 1999, eight ground collisions between aircraft had occurred at Paris-CDG, including this one. A similar event on 16 August 2006 involved an Airbus A321 and an Airbus A330 on taxiways.