Korean Air Passenger Plane Involved in Collision at Japanese Airport... "Slipped on Snow" (Comprehensive)

A Korean Air passenger plane was involved in a minor collision with another aircraft at Sapporo Airport in Japan. The aircraft, being moved by a towing vehicle, slipped on the snowy surface and collided, but no injuries were reported.

According to Korean Air and local broadcasts on the 16th, at around 5:35 PM, at the Shin-Chitose Airport parking area, Korean Air flight E766 (A330-300) came into contact with the Hong Kong Cathay Pacific flight CX583 aircraft that was stationary.

At the time, the Korean Air passenger plane was being towed by an aircraft towing vehicle (towing car). Due to heavy snowfall in the area and a mistake by the towing vehicle driver, the aircraft slipped on the snowy surface.

As a result of the accident, the left wingtip of the Korean Air aircraft collided with and was damaged by the right side of the tail wing of the Cathay Pacific aircraft. The Korean Air aircraft had 13 crew members including the captain and 276 passengers on board, but there were no injuries. Cathay Pacific's aircraft had no passengers on board as it was before boarding.

Korean Air airplane standing on the runway (photo unrelated to the article content)
Photo by Asia Economy

Korean Air is coordinating with local airport authorities to allow passengers to transfer to alternative flights. In-flight meals and electronic discount vouchers will be provided to passengers.

The alternative flight departed from Incheon International Airport at 8:30 PM that day. It is scheduled to take off locally at 1:00 AM on the 17th and arrive at Incheon Airport at 4:15 AM. The originally scheduled Korean Air flight from Sapporo (KE766) at 2:00 PM was delayed by 11 hours due to heavy snowfall and the collision incident.

Korean Air stated, "We apologize for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this ground contact incident, which occurred due to the fault of the local ground handling company."