What happened
On October 30, 2000, at approximately 14:55z, a Boeing 747-400 cargo flight, operating as CV 714 from Luxemburg, arrived at Johannesburg International Airport. After landing on Runway 03R, the crew received instructions to taxi via Taxiway H5, holding short of Taxiway C1, and subsequently via Taxiway C1 to the holding point of Taxiway F2. This sequence was intended to allow another aircraft to depart from Runway 03L.
As the crew applied breakaway thrust to begin crossing Runway 03L, the resulting jet blast from the heavy aircraft's engines impacted a Cessna 208 - Caravan parked on the opposite side of the perimeter fence. The force of the blast caused the Cessna 208 to jump its chocks at both the front and rear of the nose wheel. This movement caused the aircraft to pivot left and roll forward, leading to a collision with a Cessna 407 - Twin Caravan parked nearby. The impact was significant enough that the propeller spinner of the moving Cessna 208 penetrated the fuselage of the stationary Cessna 407. There were no fatalities and no injuries reported during the event.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the ground movements and environmental conditions at the time of the incident. The inquiry focused on the taxiing procedures of the heavy cargo aircraft and the positioning of the light aircraft near the airfield boundary. The investigation looked into the physical state of the taxiways and the specific mechanics of the aircraft movement caused by the engine exhaust.
Findings
Several contributing factors were identified that led to the collision. The investigation established that the application of breakaway thrust by the Boeing 747-400 was the primary driver of the incident. Other contributing elements included:
- The presence of a pothole on Taxiway H4.
- The close proximity of the parked aircraft to one another and to the perimeter fence.
- A lack of adequate protection or shielding for the parked aircraft against potential jet blast.