This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7046931.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Heathrow crash inquiry continues | Heathrow crash inquiry continues |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Investigations are continuing into a collision between two planes at Heathrow Airport. | |
British Airways (BA) said a Boeing 747, which collided with a SriLankan Airlines Airbus A340 on Monday night, had been inspected by engineers. | |
A BA spokesman said the damage to the wing had been fixed and the plane would now return into normal operation. | |
The BA plane was stationary and the SriLankan Airlines airliner was taxiing to the runway when they touched wings. | |
Crew from both planes and control tower staff will be interviewed as part of an investigation by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch. | |
No injuries | No injuries |
A spokesman for BA said on Tuesday evening: "The plane has been in a hangar all day to allow engineers to inspect it and the damage to be fixed. | |
"It will return into normal operation later today." | |
He added that all remaining passengers were expected to be on a flight at 1830 BST. | |
SriLankan Airlines said it was "a minor incident involving a British Airways aircraft when taxiing to the runway at Heathrow". | SriLankan Airlines said it was "a minor incident involving a British Airways aircraft when taxiing to the runway at Heathrow". |
See the site of the incident | See the site of the incident |
"It is reported that the wing tips of the two aircraft brushed against each other while taxiing." | "It is reported that the wing tips of the two aircraft brushed against each other while taxiing." |
There was some sort of bump - no more than if the pilot had put the brakes on a bit hard Andy Croll, BA passenger | There was some sort of bump - no more than if the pilot had put the brakes on a bit hard Andy Croll, BA passenger |
Heathrow's operator BAA confirmed there had been an incident at about 2220 BST and that there were no reported injuries. | Heathrow's operator BAA confirmed there had been an incident at about 2220 BST and that there were no reported injuries. |
Andy Croll, 28, a web designer who lives in Singapore, was returning home on the BA flight when the collision happened. | Andy Croll, 28, a web designer who lives in Singapore, was returning home on the BA flight when the collision happened. |
He said: "We were a bit late getting out of the gate and they said we were waiting to get off the ground. | He said: "We were a bit late getting out of the gate and they said we were waiting to get off the ground. |
"Then there was some sort of bump - no more than if the pilot had put the brakes on a bit hard." | "Then there was some sort of bump - no more than if the pilot had put the brakes on a bit hard." |
'Chunk of wing' | 'Chunk of wing' |
Mr Croll said a few minutes later there was an announcement by the pilot saying they had been involved in an incident and engineers were coming to check it out. | Mr Croll said a few minutes later there was an announcement by the pilot saying they had been involved in an incident and engineers were coming to check it out. |
About two hours later Mr Croll and his fellow passengers were still on board waiting to take off. | About two hours later Mr Croll and his fellow passengers were still on board waiting to take off. |
He said: "I was in the middle of the plane so I couldn't see the SriLankan Airlines plane that hit us. So when we got off I was surprised when I saw a 5ft chunk of wing on the tarmac." | He said: "I was in the middle of the plane so I couldn't see the SriLankan Airlines plane that hit us. So when we got off I was surprised when I saw a 5ft chunk of wing on the tarmac." |
Darren and Caroline Beck were on their honeymoon | Darren and Caroline Beck were on their honeymoon |
Newly weds Darren Beck, 34, and Caroline Beck, 22, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, were heading to the Maldives for their honeymoon when the accident happened. | Newly weds Darren Beck, 34, and Caroline Beck, 22, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, were heading to the Maldives for their honeymoon when the accident happened. |
Mr Beck said: "There was a bang and the plane stopped very suddenly. The captain put the brakes on very quickly. | Mr Beck said: "There was a bang and the plane stopped very suddenly. The captain put the brakes on very quickly. |
"People were calm on the flight, but everyone was confused." | "People were calm on the flight, but everyone was confused." |
Mr Beck, who was sitting next to the wing, went on: "We only knew what had happened because we could see part of the wing had come off from the British Airways plane." | Mr Beck, who was sitting next to the wing, went on: "We only knew what had happened because we could see part of the wing had come off from the British Airways plane." |
He said passengers had to wait about three hours before being allowed to get off the plane. | He said passengers had to wait about three hours before being allowed to get off the plane. |
The BA flight was bound for Singapore with 328 passengers on board while the Airbus was headed for Colombo in Sri Lanka carrying 286 passengers and crew. | The BA flight was bound for Singapore with 328 passengers on board while the Airbus was headed for Colombo in Sri Lanka carrying 286 passengers and crew. |
SITE OF THE AIRCRAFT COLLISION | SITE OF THE AIRCRAFT COLLISION |
Return | Return |