Overview
On 17 January 2019, at approximately 19:57 local time, a loss of separation occurred on the ground at Malta International Airport involving two Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The Turkish Airlines flight TK1372, registration TC-JHM, was holding on taxiway Delta (D) when it was struck by the Ryanair flight FR9874, registration EI-DHW, which was taxiing on taxiway Charlie (C) towards Stand 6. The collision resulted in minor damage to the left elevator of TC-JHM and the left winglet of EI-DHW. No injuries were reported.
Aircraft and Crew Information
The two aircraft involved were both Boeing 737-800 twin-jet airplanes. TC-JHM, operated by Turkish Airlines, was configured with 151–159 seats, while EI-DHW, operated by Ryanair, had 189 seats. The flight crew of both aircraft were interviewed by the BAAI investigator after the incident.
Sequence of Events
TC-JHM was holding at holding point Delta after arriving at Park 9. The crew reported being unsure of their exact position and stopped short of the designated holding point due to caution about possible interference with runway traffic. ATC cleared EI-DHW to taxi via taxiway Charlie. The EI-DHW crew expressed concern about TC-JHM's position but believed they had sufficient clearance. However, the aircraft contacted, causing the damage described.
Airport and Environmental Conditions
The airport markings and lighting were in accordance with ICAO standards. The collision occurred in dark visual conditions with no precipitation. The distance from the ATC tower to holding point Delta was approximately 1.9 km, and the airport lacked ground radar, so ATC relied on crew-reported positions. Taxiways Echo and Foxtrot were closed due to maintenance.
Findings
The investigation found that the airport design allowed a normal separation of about 20 meters between aircraft on the designated centerlines. However, TC-JHM was positioned about 22 meters behind its assigned holding point, while the crew believed they were only 3 meters back. EI-DHW's crew judged the clearance incorrectly, partly due to darkness and the difficulty of assessing wingtip clearance. The winglets on the Boeing 737-800 add approximately 2.5 feet to each wingspan, and their shape extends above the elevator height, which may have contributed to the collision. ATC cleared EI-DHW based on the reported positions, and the crew proceeded despite their doubts. The report emphasized that any ATC clearance must be executed only if safe.
Similar Occurrences
The investigation referenced similar winglet collisions involving Boeing 737 aircraft at Dublin, Seville, and other airports, noting that difficulties in judging clearance are a recurring issue.
Recommendations
The report recommended actions to improve situational awareness and communication between flight crews and ATC, though specific recommendations are not detailed here.