What happened
On August 30, 2023, at approximately 13:30 local time, a ground collision occurred at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport involving an Air France Boeing 777-300, registered F-GSQT, and a Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-90 and registered N411DX.
Due to saturated parking stands at the terminal, air traffic controllers directed both aircraft to hold on the UT taxiway system. The Air France Boeing 777-300 had landed on runway 26L and was instructed to taxi via taxiway T to hold on UT3. The aircraft had already shut down its engines as part of a remote holding procedure. Following the Air France aircraft, the Delta Air Lines Airbus A330-900 was instructed to taxi via taxiway T to hold on UT2.
As the Delta Air Lines crew taxied behind the stationary Air France aircraft, the tip of the right wing of the Airbus A330-900 struck the tail of the Boeing 777-300. The collision caused damage to the APU access hatches and both elevators of the Boeing 777-300, as well as damage to the right winglet of the Airbus A330-900. There were no injuries to the passengers or crew on either flight.
The investigation
The BEA examined flight data from both aircraft, cockpit voice recordings, and air traffic control communications. The investigation focused on the movement of aircraft through taxiway T, which is subject to specific wingspan restrictions when aircraft are holding on the UT taxiways. Investigators also reviewed the regulatory documentation provided to flight crews and controllers, as well as the procedures for remote holding used by the airline.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was the use of taxiway T by aircraft with a wingspan exceeding 36 meters while other aircraft were holding on the UT taxiways.
- The crew of the Delta Air Lines aircraft did not stop to confirm clearance when the margin between the aircraft appeared small.
- Ambiguities in operational documentation led to a misunderstanding of whether the wingspan restriction on taxiway T applied only during active de-icing operations or also during general holding.
- There was a lack of established methodology, signage, or markings for managing inbound aircraft holding on the UT taxiways.
Safety action
Following the accident, air traffic controllers were reminded of the restrictions regarding taxiway T. The air navigation service and airport operator also initiated safety impact studies regarding remote holding procedures for both departures and arrivals to improve infrastructure and clarify operational frameworks.