WestJet 737s bump and grind in Ottawa

[altiplano]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/st ... elled.html

At least five flights have been cancelled after a WestJet airplane that had been backing out of the gate before takeoff struck the wing tip of another plane at the Ottawa airport this morning.

The WestJet flight to Toronto had been leaving the gate at walking speed when it clipped the other plane, also owned by WestJet.

No one was hurt.

The wing tip of the Boeing 737-600 "made brief contact" with the wing tip of the other plane, according to a statement from WestJet.

"There was a shudder — it went through the whole plane," said Steven Staples, who was aboard one of the planes.

"Everybody looked up and out the window and we could see that the tip of the wing of our plane had struck the tip of the wing of another plane in the gate beside us."

'It was a strange feeling'

All 93 passengers aboard the flight to Toronto and all 69 passengers on the flight to Vancouver were asked to return to the airport terminal while crews inspected the planes. They have now been transferred to other flights.

"It was a strange feeling," Staples told CBC News by phone from the airport. "I think everyone was sort of surprised by it. Even the crew said they hadn't really … seen something like that happen before."

The plane heading to Toronto sustained damage, the WestJet statement said.

The plane heading to Vancouver was still being inspected by WestJet later Friday morning, but the aircraft's remaining flights were cancelled for the day.

[snag]

made brief contact

Isn't brief contact, just.. contact? Or is there a 5 second rule with these things if no cooties were transferred?

[skyler]

Having worked ramp at YOW I'm curious how this happened as the gates aren't that close together. Does anyone know if both aircraft were being pushed at the same time? Also wonder if the Servisair tug driver had a breathalyzer after.

[Kekumba]

.

[leftoftrack]

I'm sure they'll be taking all sorts of samples from all involved.

[The Raven]

As posted in the Calgary Herald, "An Air Canada Airbus was on descent into Ottawa at the time and may have been a contributing factor".

[Rowdy]

As posted in the Calgary Herald, "An Air Canada Airbus was on descent into Ottawa at the time and may have been a contributing factor".

bahaha thanks for the chuckle dirty bird!!

[The Raven]

----------------------------------------Occurrence 5----------------------------------------
Occurrence No. : A13O0117 Occurrence Type: INCIDENT REPORTABLE Class : CLASS 5 Reportable Type: J. COLLISION Date : 21-06-2013 Time : 10:55 UTC Region of Responsibility : ONTARIO Location : CYOW OTTAWA/MACDONALD-CARTIER INTL, ONTARIO

Aircraft Information:

Registration : C-GWCQ Operator : WESTJET Manufacturer : BOEING Operator Type: COMMERCIAL Model : 737-600 CARs Info: 705 - AIRLINER Injuries: Fatal : 0 Serious : 0 Minor : 0 None : 75 Unknown : 0
Occurrence Summary :

A13O0117: The Westjet Boeing 737-600 aircraft (WJA 143, C-GWCQ) was pushed back from the gate into position. After engine start up, the aircraft began to taxi and collided wingtips with another Westjet Boeing 737 aircraft (WJA 357) which was being pushed back from the gate. Both aircraft received minor damage and there were no reported injuries to the passengers and crew members.

[Rudy]

You guys owe the ground crew an apology.

[av8ts]

I don't know what happened in this case but i can see how it could happen. The apron is uncontrolled yet there is no advisory frequency like YHZ so you have aircraft pushing off gates and aircraft taxiing in and out and nobody's controlling or broadcasting their intentions. Pathetic for our national capital airport.

[rigpiggy]

Why the hell would an apron advisory work, half the time both AC and WestJet Push before saying anything on 122.12

[Donald]

Pretty ridiculous how that apron operates, but how did they not see the other 737 being pushed??

[Dash-Ate]

Cowboys?

[TheStig]

Why pay ATC to control the ramp when you can spend the user fees building beautiful waterfalls inside the terminal? Common guys, priorities!

[All Sides]

I swear they're training 10 new guys every week. .

Interesting comment, I fly regularly with WJ and AC and have had a few teeth shattering landings with WJ in the last year. Other co-workers have had similar comments?

Can't wait for the Avcanada resident expert (experts) to weigh in and put the matter to rest!

[righthandman]

----------------------------------------Occurrence 5----------------------------------------
Occurrence No. : A13O0117 Occurrence Type: INCIDENT REPORTABLE Class : CLASS 5 Reportable Type: J. COLLISION Date : 21-06-2013 Time : 10:55 UTC Region of Responsibility : ONTARIO Location : CYOW OTTAWA/MACDONALD-CARTIER INTL, ONTARIO

Aircraft Information:

Registration : C-GWCQ Operator : WESTJET Manufacturer : BOEING Operator Type: COMMERCIAL Model : 737-600 CARs Info: 705 - AIRLINER Injuries: Fatal : 0 Serious : 0 Minor : 0 None : 75 Unknown : 0
Occurrence Summary :

A13O0117: The Westjet Boeing 737-600 aircraft (WJA 143, C-GWCQ) was pushed back from the gate into position. After engine start up, the aircraft began to taxi and collided wingtips with another Westjet Boeing 737 aircraft (WJA 357) which was being pushed back from the gate. Both aircraft received minor damage and there were no reported injuries to the passengers and crew members.

I guess the Westjet boys should avoid formation flying in the future.