Air New Zealand’s Boeing 777 aircraft, damaged in a ground collision at Brisbane Airport (BNE), will be flown back to Auckland (AKL) for repairs under carefully controlled safety conditions. The incident occurred when the aircraft sustained a 7cm-wide hole below the captain’s window during a routine pushback maneuver.
The damaged plane will return to Auckland unpressurized and without passengers or cargo, cruising at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet—well below typical cruising levels—to ensure maximum safety during the ferry flight.
Incident Details:
- On Thursday, during a routine pushback at Brisbane Airport, the Boeing 777 collided with an airbridge, causing a puncture in the fuselage.
- The hole measures 7 centimeters and is located beneath the cockpit window on the aircraft’s left side.
- Flight NZ146 from Brisbane to Auckland was immediately canceled pending an engineering assessment.
Safety Measures and Flight Plan:
- After thorough consultation with Boeing engineers, Air New Zealand confirmed the safest approach involves an unpressurized ferry flight at 10,000 feet with no passengers or cargo onboard.
- The aircraft will make a low-altitude flight to Auckland for necessary fuselage repairs.
- This method follows established industry standards for repositioning aircraft with structural damage.
- The aircraft was scheduled for routine maintenance in Singapore later in the week, so the incident does not disrupt broader operational plans.
Airline Response and Passenger Impact:
- Nathan McGraw, Chief Safety and Risk Officer at Air New Zealand, stated that the decision complies fully with international aviation safety standards.
- Passengers booked on the canceled NZ146 service were re-accommodated within 24 hours.
- No injuries were reported during the ground collision, and safety protocols were enacted immediately to manage the situation.
Similar Incident: Emirates A380 with Fuselage Damage
- On July 1, 2022, Emirates flight EK430, operated by an Airbus A380, landed safely in Brisbane after a 13-hour flight from Dubai despite having a large hole in its fuselage.
- Passengers were unaware of the damage during the flight; a loud bang was heard shortly after takeoff but no further issues occurred.
- The hole was discovered post-flight, below the passenger windows on the fuselage’s left side.
- The aircraft was grounded for inspection and repair while an investigation was initiated.
- Experts suspect the damage may have resulted from a burst tire or foreign object, but no official conclusions have been drawn.
Operational and Safety Insights:
- Ferry flights at low altitude with unpressurized cabins are uncommon but accepted procedures when structural damage is manageable and safe flight conditions are met.
- Airlines coordinate closely with manufacturers and aviation authorities to ensure all safety parameters are observed during such flights.
- Rapid passenger re-accommodation and transparent communication help minimize traveler inconvenience during incidents.
Summary:
Air New Zealand’s decision to fly the damaged Boeing 777 back to Auckland under strict safety protocols highlights the airline’s commitment to passenger safety and operational integrity. The incident underscores the importance of rigorous maintenance, quick response, and adherence to international aviation safety standards.
Recap:
- Air New Zealand Boeing 777 suffered a 7cm fuselage hole during pushback at Brisbane Airport
- Flight NZ146 from Brisbane to Auckland was canceled; passengers rebooked within 24 hours
- Aircraft to fly unpressurized at 10,000 feet without passengers or cargo back to Auckland
- Flight plan follows industry standards after consultation with Boeing engineers
- Similar incident: Emirates A380 landed safely with fuselage damage in Brisbane, July 2022
- Low-altitude ferry flights are recognized safety procedures for damaged aircraft repositioning
- No injuries reported; airline maintains strict adherence to safety protocols