THIS WEEKEND PASSENGERS aboard a Spanish commercial aircraft had to be evacuated after their jet collided with a car just minutes before departure at Alicante airport.
The extraordinary accident happened on Saturday 24th June at Alicante-Elche international airport and involved a Vueling Airbus A320 aircraft with 153 people on board.
The plane was scheduled to make the journey from Alicante airport to Rome, taxiing away from the terminal apron towards the runway, when it collided with a stationary Peugeot car damaging the aircraft's right-hand engine.
The vehicle had been left unattended, but as a precaution the captain ordered all passengers to evacuate the jet while technicians checked the condition of the craft and its fuselage, causing a seven-hour delay.
Aviation experts on the scene said it was “extremely fortunate” that there were no injuries and pure luck that the Spanish budget plane had only been taxiing, as the slow speed avoided what could have been a much more serious incident.
Vueling: the service vehicle should not have been near the aircraft
In a statement released yesterday, Vueling said that the vehicle should not have been anywhere near the aircraft at the time of the collision, and that the car would not have been visible from the cockpit.
The impact damaged part of the fuselage and the engine housing, rendering the jet unable to fly, and all passengers eventually departed for their Italian destination on a replacement flight to Fiumicino.
There were a number of families on board headed for Rome for time-sensitive celebrations. Arrangements were made for them to get the next flight out.
The remaining passengers had to wait for later replacement flights. It is understood that the vehicle involved was part of the budget airline's service fleet.
Alicante airport reports that a full investigation has been opened to discover why the car was still on the runway when the plane was preparing to take off.
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Photo credit: Rita Sobot / Tenerife News
Why could’t they see the car ???
Ever looked out of a plane? A tiny thing like that is not visible. The cockpit is designed for flying, the ground crew have the responsibility to ensure the path is clean and clear.
not quite, if the aircraft is on push or under tow then you’d be correct, however, if it’s moving under it’s own power i.e. engines running then it is down to the operating crew to make sure that the areas are clear before proceeding. Also, vehicles on the ground must be aware of aircraft movements, and not, for example, drive into the side of one or drive behind when the anti-collision light (flashing red beacon) is on.
We also have a responsibility as flight deck crew. The car would have been visible. We have a duty to ensure our path is clear when taxiing
An aircraft does not have mirrors like a car
First that car should have not been there second u have all heard about these terriost attack s 3 the person should be question end about that car