A Qantas A380 engine was damaged at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport after an aerobridge struck one of its engines during pre-departure operations, causing a significant flight delay and prompting an investigation.
The incident occurred on 12 July, when the aircraft—tail number VH-OQJ—was preparing to operate Flight QF63 from Sydney to Johannesburg. According to images shared on social media, the no. 2 engine of the stationary A380 was impacted by the aerobridge while parked at the gate.
Aerobridge Collision Prompts Delay
Qantas confirmed the incident in a brief statement:
“We are investigating how an aerobridge made contact with the engine of one of our aircraft at Sydney Airport,” the airline said.
As a result of the ground handling mishap, the long-haul flight to South Africa was delayed by 21 hours while the airline sourced a replacement aircraft for the scheduled service.
The aircraft involved is a 14-year-old Airbus A380, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. Data from flight tracking services confirm that the aircraft, registered VH-OQJ, remained grounded at Sydney Airport following the incident.
Aircraft Expected to Return to Service
Following a detailed inspection and necessary repairs, the A380 is expected to return soon to active service after repairs. No injuries were reported, and the damage appears to have been limited to the engine nacelle area.
While relatively rare, gate equipment collisions can lead to significant logistical and financial consequences for airlines, especially when involving large widebody aircraft such as the A380.
Focus on Ground Safety Procedures
This incident underscores the importance of rigorous ground handling protocols, particularly for high-capacity aircraft like the A380 that require precise coordination during boarding and servicing operations. The airline has not disclosed the extent of the damage or whether disciplinary or procedural changes will follow the investigation.
VH-OQJ is one of Qantas’s fleet of A380s that has undergone cabin refurbishments as part of the airline’s post-pandemic international fleet renewal strategy. The flagship aircraft type is primarily deployed on long-haul routes including to London, Los Angeles, and Johannesburg.
Javeria Sajid is an Aerospace Engineering student from NUST with a background in technology and a sharp focus on the global political landscape and defence innovation. She writes to make complex defence technologies understandable, and aspires to bridge journalism, policy, and engineering in her work.
