[Michael Mak]

As reported by SMH: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...810-2roct.html

Jetstar, Virgin planes in tarmac bingle at Melbourne Airport

Deborah Gough and Matt O'Sullivan



Published: August 10, 2013 - 1:10PM


A Virgin Australia plane reversed into a Jetstar aircraft in a tarmac bingle at Melbourne Airport on Saturday morning, causing up to $3 million damage to the two jets.


The incident occurred when a Virgin jet, bound for Maroochydore, was being pushed back in preparation for take-off about 9.30am.


Paul Cousins, the president of the engineers' union, said the Virgin aircraft was pushed back to such an extent that the end of its left-hand wing had cut off the tail cone of the Jetstar A320.


The Jetstar aircraft, which had just landed from Sydney, had pulled up just short of the terminal gate. It is understood it only had flight crew on board.


"They were very lucky that the [Virgin plane's] winglet did not go into the auxillary power unit, which is a small jet engine that runs in the back of the aircraft," he said.


"It could have caused that engine to rupture ... bits and pieces could have come out it and gone flying everywhere."


Mr Cousins said the damage to the Jetstar aircraft was significant, and it was likely to be grounded for several days.


"In conservative terms, at the moment we are talking $2 to $3 million for both aircraft," he said.


A Virgin spokesman confirmed that engineers were assessing damage to its Boeing 737-800, which appeared to have sustained "minor damage" to its wing tip.


The flight had 175 passengers, four cabin and two pilot crew on board at the time.


No one was injured in the accident.


"We are accommodating all of the guests on another aircraft later this afternoon," Virgin Australia spokesman Nathan Scholz said.


Both airlines are investigating how the collision occurred in an area between the domestic and international terminals.