What happened
On 4 September 2013, an Emirates Airline Boeing 777-21HLR, registration A6-EWI, landed at Galeão International Airport (SBGL) in Rio de Janeiro after a flight from Dubai. While taxiing toward apron number 2, the aircraft followed instructions from Ground Control to proceed via taxiways F, B, I, K, and L3.
Upon entering the apron via taxiway L3, the right-hand wingtip of the Boeing 777-21HLR struck the vertical stabilizer of a parked Boeing 737-800 (registration PR-GUD), operated by Gol Airlines. The collision resulted in damage to the wingtip of the Emirates aircraft and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer of the parked Boeing 737. There were no injuries among the 159 passengers and 18 crew members on board the Emirates flight.
The investigation
CENIPA's investigation revealed that the aircraft was following specific ATC instructions that were in direct conflict with recent requests from the Apron Supervisor. Throughout the day, the Apron Supervisor had made multiple requests to Ground Control to restrict or prohibit large aircraft from using taxiway L3. However, at 17:41 UTC, Ground Control instructed the A6-E7WI to use taxiway L3 to reach gate 45.
Investigators found that the parking positions in the remote area of apron number 2 were being managed by the Aerodrome Operator in a manner that deviated from the official Parking Display Chart (PDC). To accommodate service vehicles like fuel tankers and tractors, aircraft were being parked approximately three meters short of their prescribed stops. This displacement effectively narrowed the available taxiway width, making the passage of wide-body aircraft through L3 hazardous.
Findings
- Inadequate coordination between the Aerodrome Operator and ATC regarding the use of taxiway L3 and the restricted width of the apron area.
- Non-compliance with official parking charts, as aircraft were being positioned outside of prescribed stands to facilitate ground service traffic.
- Failure in the exchange of information between the Apron Supervisor, Ground Control, and ATC team supervisors, particularly during shift handovers.
- Lack of provisional signage or updated operational markings to alert pilots to the latent hazards created by the ongoing airport works and taxiway restrictions.