A British Airways plane bound for London last night crashed into a building at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Images from Twitter appear to show the plane was taxiing when one of its wings sliced through a brick building on the edge of the runway.
Passengers on the plane reported on Twitter that no one had been hurt in the incident.
A spokesman for the airport confirmed the plane had been damaged and said all passengers were being taken off the flight to spend the night in a hotel and that the plane would not be departing.
She could not confirm that there were no injuries.
Harriet Tolputt, the head of media for Oxfam, was on the flight when the collision occurred. She wrote on Twitter: “BA plane crashes into building at J Burg airport. No one injured only the pilot’s pride. Not impressed that first class passengers get off before premium economy during an emergency.”
She told NBC News that the plane was taxiing when she heard very loud crash and saw the wing hit the building on the edge of the runway at OR Tambo International Airport.
British Airways said an investigation was underway into the incident.
"A British Airways Boeing 747 was damaged while taxiing at Johannesburg airport," the airline said it an statement.
"Customers disembarked safely and were looked after by our staff.
"We have launched a full investigation into the incident and are giving our assistance to the independent South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) with the matter."
Hard to imagine that BA wasn't following the proper centreline markings or lights…Oooooops! I haven't been to Joburg for ages but recall the ATC was fine, the markings all ICAO standard and even the lights were on! The comment about the First Class bunch being let off before the others (During an emergency) is kinda funny, as I doubt there was no emergency declared. Those passengers would have been deplaned after deemed safe to do so by the crew.
"A British Airways Boeing 747-400, registration G-BNLL performing flight BA-34 from Johannesburg (South Africa) to London Heathrow,EN (UK) with 182 passengers and 17 crew, was taxiing for departure and had been cleared to taxi to holding point runway 03L via taxiway B but missed the turn towards the holding point runway 03L (editorial note: watch the relevant caution on the taxi chart below) and continued on general aviation taxiway M until the right hand wing collided with and sliced an office building. 4 ground staff in the building received minor injuries, none of the aircraft occupants received injuries. The building and aircraft received substantial damage.
ACSA, the airport authority operating Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, reported that the aircraft turned onto the wrong taxiway. About 6 meters of the right hand wing tip sliced through about 20 meters of the building effectively separating the roof from the building.
South Africa's CAA reported that the aircraft had already been cleared for takeoff from runway 03L, when the aircraft continued onto narrower taxiway M and collided with the building. 4 officials inside the building were injured by debris from the building. A fuel spillage from the aircraft was contained by airport emergency services. The occupants of the aircraft disembarked through door #5. The CAA have dispatched investigators on site and opened an investigation, the flight recorders were removed from the aircraft.
The airline reported all 182 passengers were taken to hotels, the flight was cancelled."
OUCH!!
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It seems that as the planes we fly get bigger, more and more of our wings are hanging over the grass. A couple of weeks ago we were on a familiar but sort of remote taxiway at night. It was very dark. I found myself just mindlessly looking straight ahead to the next distant taxiway and realized that I really should be looking around occasionally left or right. Of course, what are the chances of hitting a building there but what about some construction equipment or who knows what. It could be piles of snow that will get sucked in the engine.
Sure, in remote or uncontrolled locations or congested area anywhere we are usually on alert but in some areas at the big airport, it can be easy to just assume that everything will be OK. Or maybe some sort of distraction in the cockpit takes one persons attention.
As for going down the wrong taxiway, it can happen. I have notes for each commercial airport I go to including important taxiway items. Among other things, warnings such as the one about the taxiway note seen here will go in my notes for quick review. Unfortunately, I am not one of those super-smart guys who remembers it all. Now I can quickly review the most important items and little stuff as well. Once taxiing, we always have discussion in the cockpit such as "Golf taxiway is second left turn", "Mike will be first right" etc. It is a good idea before taxiing to look and see if there will be splits in taxiways like this one which means that you will not go all the way to the end of the taxiway like usual.
Two crew can be helpful as I find that it can be difficult at times to taxi and safely find your location on the chart and then read the chart at the same time.
I wonder if there is a F/O position now open.
What is the pay, how much is the bond, how long for an upgrade and does one have to work on the ramp first?
Can one e-mail a resume or do they accept phone calls?
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The average pilot, despite the somewhat swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
More importantly, is your name 'Nigel', or are you prepared to change it? And, is your accent plummy enough to say 'Speedbird' with the correct amount of disdain?
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Say, what's that mountain goat doing up here in the mist?
Happiness is V1 at Thompson!
Ass, Licence, Job. In that order.
Right O old chap. Keep a stiff upper lip, pip pip and all that, God save the Queen and England forever.
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The average pilot, despite the somewhat swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
The comment about the First Class bunch being let off before the others (During an emergency) is kinda funny, as I doubt there was no emergency declared. Those passengers would have been deplaned after deemed safe to do so by the crew.
