That awkward moment you tow a plane into a light pole: Cathay Pacific jet suffers serious damage in Rome

Picture via Facebook, courtesy of Rome Aviation Spotters
Picture via Facebook, courtesy of Rome Aviation Spotters

In what must have been a stomach dropping ‘oh shit’ moment for airport workers in Italy, a Cathay Pacific plane suffered serious damage to its wing after crashing into a light post while being towed on the tarmac at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome.

The incident early yesterday afternoon happened just prior to the Boeing 777-300ER’s scheduled 1.05pm departure for Hong Kong, though no passengers were on board, according to a Cathay Pacific spokesperson, quoted by Apple Daily.

The plane, which can carry more than 300 passengers, was being towed to the boarding gate when it’s right wing smashed into a light pole.

https://www.facebook.com/romeaviationspotters/photos/pcb.1024215111093828/1024215007760505/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/romeaviationspotters/photos/pcb.1024215111093828/1024215024427170/?type=3&theater

 

The flight, CX292 from Rome to Hong Kong, was cancelled and passengers diverted to other flights, according to Apple Daily.

Although we’re no aviation experts, we’re pretty sure that ain’t a cheap fix. An engineering source from the airline who spoke to the SCMP after viewing pictures, said repairs were possible, but not easy. 

In other words, that bird’s “grounded for a good while”, the source told the newspaper.

https://www.facebook.com/romeaviationspotters/photos/pcb.1024215111093828/1024215027760503/?type=3&theater

 



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