Synopsis
On 7 July 2018 at 0950 hours local time, an Air Asia Airbus A330-300, registration 9M-XXC, and a Qatar Airways Airbus A350-900, registration A7-ALL, were involved in a ground collision at Velana International Airport (VIA) in the Maldives. The right winglet of the A330 came into contact with the left horizontal stabilizer of the parked A350. No injuries occurred among passengers, crew, or ground personnel.
History of the Flight
The Airbus A330 (9M-XXC) had completed an uneventful flight from Kuala Lumpur and landed on runway 36. Air traffic control instructed the flight to backtrack and vacate the runway via Taxi-way C. Upon entering the taxiway, a marshaller and a wing walker guided the aircraft. The Airbus A350 (A7-ALL) was parked on the apron immediately to the right of the A330's path and was preparing for departure to Doha.
According to the A330 commander, the aircraft slowed to approximately 4-6 knots while entering Taxi-way C. He followed the marshaller's instructions and turned the aircraft left. A sudden jolt was felt during the turn, and the commander immediately stopped the aircraft. The wing walker displayed a stop sign only after the impact. The A330 engines were shut down, and air traffic control was notified. The aircraft was towed to its parking position five to ten minutes later.
The Qatar Airways commander reported that he was preparing for departure when he felt the aircraft move, indicating a collision. He left the flight deck and observed the Air Asia aircraft in contact with his aircraft. The Qatar Airways aircraft had been parked by a different crew; the commander considered its position normal based on his experience at VIA, but noted the absence of marked stands and lead-in lines.
Damage to Aircraft
The right winglet of 9M-XXC sustained a dent measuring approximately 3 inches by 1 inch. The left horizontal stabilizer of A7-ALL was bent upward and torn approximately 18 inches from its tip.
Interviews
Both flight crews highlighted the congested parking area and the lack of lead-in lines at VIA. The A330 pilots stated that parking without marshallers was not feasible, especially for wide-body aircraft. The marshaller involved stated that he judged the parking area to have sufficient space for the A330 to manoeuvre, but he could not confirm if the Qatar Airways aircraft was in its correct position due to the absence of parking stands. The wing walker's role was to ensure wing tip clearance; the A330 first officer was responsible for monitoring the right wing.
Additional Context
The marshaller arrived at Taxi-way C ten minutes before the A330's arrival to ensure the area was sterile and had sufficient space. He would have contacted the Operations Control Centre if the space was deemed insufficient. The A330 crew noted that parking procedures at VIA required full reliance on marshallers because of the crowded apron and lack of designated stands.