History of Flights
9V-SVH
The aircraft departed from Bay F58 of Changi Airport's Terminal 2 without delay. At 0101 hrs, the crew received taxi instructions to follow green guidance lights to the holding point of Runway 20C. The Pilot-in-Command (PIC) taxied along Taxiway C6 and turned onto Taxiway C1. During the turn, the crew observed another B777 (9V-SVO) being pushed back from Bay F37 and stopped as the aircraft appeared too close. The co-pilot contacted Ground Control and was told to continue if sufficient separation existed. The PIC assessed clearance by referencing the other aircraft's wingtip to a screw on the side window pillar, and believed the wingtip would clear, especially as he saw 9V-SVO being pulled forward. The co-pilot and an additional crew member were uncomfortable but accepted the PIC's decision. At 01:03:44 hrs, the left wingtip of 9V-SVH struck the right wingtip of 9V-SVO. The PIC informed ATC and later taxied to Bay F58 for inspection.
9V-SVO
The aircraft was cleared for a standard pushback from Bay F37. The crew released park brakes at 01:00:47 hrs. ATC advised of traffic on Taxiway C1, cautioning the pushback. The crew initially could not see 9V-SVH but the air tug crew saw it. When the pilots first saw the approaching aircraft at 01:03:05 hrs, the PIC remarked it was very close and asked the headset man if clear. The headset man replied 9V-SVH appeared to be stopping, but the collision occurred soon after. The crew did not feel the aircraft being towed forward before impact. After the collision, the aircraft was towed back to Bay F37.
Aircraft Damage
9V-SVH sustained damage to the left wingtip, surrounding fibreglass panels, the No.1 leading edge slat, and fibreglass panels below the slat. 9V-SVO sustained damage to the right wingtip leading edge, broken trailing edge fibreglass honeycomb with about 100 sq cm missing, the right aileron outboard edge with about 130 sq cm missing, and crushed honeycomb material on the lower surface.
Personnel Information
9V-SVH Crew
- PIC: 42-year-old male, ATPL, total flying experience 7665 hours, 1414 on type.
- Co-pilot: 32-year-old male, ATPL, total experience 2999 hours, all on type.
- Additional crew member (observer): 27-year-old male, ATPL, total experience 1202 hours, all on type.
9V-SVO Crew
- PIC: 34-year-old male, ATPL, total experience 9551 hours, 5501 on type.
- Co-pilot: 35-year-old male, ATPL, total experience 2220 hours, all on type.
Conclusions
The investigating authority identified several significant factors including the taxiing flight crew not ensuring adequate wingtip clearance, misjudgment by the PIC of 9V-SVH, contradictory views among the crew of 9V-SVH not being heeded, limited visibility from the pushback aircraft, inability of ground crew to clearly see wingtips, and lack of assistance from the ground controller.