Accident Overview
On 27 July 2007 at 1900 UTC, a Boeing 777-236, registration G-VIIK, collided with a stationary Airbus A321-231, registration G-EUXH, at London Heathrow Airport. Both aircraft were operated by the same company. The Boeing 777 was being pushed back from Stand 429 when its left wing struck the vertical fin of the Airbus A321, which was parked short of Stand 431.
Sequence of Events
The Airbus A321 had arrived from Zurich and taxied to Stand 431 under instructions from Ground Movements Control 2 (GMC2). The crew found the electronic Stand Entry Guidance system not activated because ground staff had not yet arrived. The commander stopped the aircraft about 50 metres short of the intended parking position, with the rear half of the aircraft protruding into the taxiway. The co-pilot made a radio call to GMC2 to advise of the issue, but the frequency was busy and the call was not acknowledged.
About a minute later, the Boeing 777 crew requested pushback from Stand 429. The GMC2 controller approved it. During pushback, the Boeing 777's left aileron collided with the Airbus's fin. The tug driver reported seeing the Airbus moments earlier and applying the brakes, but could not prevent the collision. The headset operator remained in the tug cab for most of the pushback, unable to walk alongside due to an entangled headset lead.
Aircraft Damage
The Boeing 777 sustained damage to its left aileron, including a one-metre section that detached and embedded in the Airbus's fin. A lower wing access panel and two aileron hinge-attachment points were also damaged. The Airbus A321's fin and fairings were damaged, with the lower fairing containing the detached aileron section. Non-destructive testing revealed abrasion and delamination in the composite material of the fin.
Personnel Accounts
The commander of the Boeing 777 was aware his pushback request was not acknowledged but intended to follow up. He made a passenger announcement. The tug driver had limited visibility during pushback and was concentrating on keeping the aircraft on the taxiway centreline. The headset operator's attention was directed away from the Airbus. Both pushback crewmen were employed by the operator. No injuries were reported on either aircraft.
Recorded Information
Flight Data Recorders, Cockpit Voice Recorders, and Quick Access Recorders were fitted on both aircraft. Recordings showed that the pushback began slightly more than two minutes after the Airbus stopped.