Australia probes near-miss collision of two planes on Sydney Airport tarmac

Australian authorities are investigating a near-miss collision between a Jetstar A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 on the tarmac at Sydney Airport. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has launched an inquiry into the Sunday incident.

The Jetstar aircraft was taxiing for its departure to the Gold Coast when its flight crew observed the Qatar Airways plane, being towed by an aircraft tug, in close proximity on a crossing taxiway. Both aircraft were brought to an abrupt halt, according to the regulator's statement.

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Both aircraft were stopped abruptly.

As a result of the incident, a cabin crew member on the Jetstar plane sustained an injury. Additionally, the connection between the Qatar Airways plane's nose gear and the aircraft tug was damaged. Jetstar confirmed it is investigating the event, with a spokesperson stating their pilots braked firmly after another aircraft came too close, despite following Air Traffic Control instructions.

Qatar Airways had not immediately responded to a request for comment. This near-miss occurred just a day after Sydney Airport experienced widespread delays attributed to Airservices Australia implementing "departure spacing" due to air traffic controller staffing issues.

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Our aircraft was following instructions by Air Traffic Control when the pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft came in close proximity.