What happened
On the evening of 18 December 2006, an Airbus A340-212, registration ZS-SLB, was preparing for a scheduled international flight from O.R. Tambo International Aerodrome to Paris, France. The departure had already been delayed by heavy thunderstorms and rain.
During the pushback process from parking bay D37, the ground controller instructed the crew to face north and utilize taxiway Hotel to avoid a stationary cargo aircraft, a Boeing 747-200 with registration 9G-MKL, which was partially protruding from its bay due to ongoing loading operations. Despite acknowledging these specific instructions, the crew of ZS-SLB began taxiing along the Delta apron instead of following the prescribed route.
As the aircraft moved past the parked 9G-MKL, the pilot-in-command noted a slight vibration, which was also felt by the cabin crew. Ground control subsequently notified the crew that they had struck the parked aircraft. The collision caused significant damage to the Boeing 747-200, specifically severing the lower aft fuselage and damaging the left inboard elevator, while the Airbus A340-212 sustained damage to its left winglet. No injuries were reported among the 251 people on board the departing flight.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators examined the sequence of events, noting that the taxi route taken by the crew directly contradicted the instructions provided by the Ground Controller. The investigation also reviewed the environmental conditions, which included night-time operations, heavy rain, and reduced visibility.
Investigators looked into the operational status of the aircraft in bay D34, finding that the 9G-MKL was being loaded via its nose door, which necessitated its position outside the standard parking boundaries. The investigation also assessed the crew's workload, noting that the first officer was performing his first operational flight following type conversion, and that the third crew member was not being utilized as an additional lookout during the low-visibility taxi.