What happened
On the night of May 25, 2000, at approximately 00:52 UTC, a collision occurred on runway 27 at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The aircraft involved were an MD 83, registration F-GHED, operated by Air Liberté, and a Shorts 330, registration G-SSWN, operated by Streamline Aviation.
The F-GHED was prepared for a charter flight to Madrid. After resolving a technical issue that had delayed its departure, the crew was cleared for takeoff on runway 27. Simultaneously, the G-SSWN, performing a cargo flight to Luton, had been instructed to line up and wait on runway 27 as the second aircraft in sequence.
As the F-GHED accelerated for takeoff, it had already passed its $V_1$ decision speed. The crew of the Shorts 330 observed the headlights of the departing aircraft and attempted to brake. However, the left wingtip of the F-GHED struck the right propeller of the G-SSWN, penetrating the cockpit area. The collision caused the death of the Shorts 330 co-pilot and resulted in serious injuries to the remaining crew member. The F-GHED crew aborted the takeoff following the impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of communications between the flight crews and air traffic controllers, including the Tower and Ground controllers. Investigators analyzed the aircraft flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders from both aircraft. The inquiry also reviewed the airport infrastructure, specifically the status of taxiways and the presence of ongoing construction work near the runway. The investigation looked into the movement of other aircraft in the vicinity, including a Boeing 737 that had recently vacated the runway, to reconstruct the exact timing of the sequence of events.