Background
On 4 November 2004 at 1620 UTC, two aircraft were involved in a ground collision at Manchester Airport. The Boeing 767-204, registration G-SATR, and the Boeing 737-37Q, registration G-ODSK, were both operating public transport passenger flights. The B767 was taxiing for departure from Runway 24 Left, while the B737 was stationary at holding point T1.
Accident
The B767 had taxied from Terminal Two and was cleared by the Air 1 controller to cross Runway 24 Right and proceed to holding point T1. After transferring to the Air 2 controller, the crew received revised taxi instructions to use Taxiway Victor Alpha One. As the B767 turned right onto Taxiway V, its left wing collided with the right horizontal stabilizer of the stationary B737. The B767 crew initially believed they had run over an object, but the second co-pilot realized they had struck the other aircraft. The commander brought the B767 to a stop approximately 35 meters from the point of impact.
No injuries were reported among passengers or crew on either aircraft. The B767 sustained left wing damage, and the B737 sustained tail damage. The collision was felt in the cabin but was not severe enough to cause anyone to lose their footing.
Investigation
The AAIB field investigation examined the circumstances. The B767 commander had experienced operational problems prior to pushback, including fuel loading issues and passenger disturbances. The commander felt unwell shortly after the collision and fainted but later recovered. The cockpit voice recorder on the B767 had overwritten the accident segment because the crew had not isolated its power. The B737's flight recorders were recovered.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the B767 commander, who bore primary responsibility for collision avoidance, misjudged the available separation due to a combination of physiological limitations, distractions, and a false assumption regarding his ATC clearance.