A Boeing 737-800 from GOL and an Embraer E190 from Azul had a collision while taxiing in the Viracopos - Campinas International Airport (VCP) in São Paulo, Brazil. How did it happen? Let’s investigate further.

The incident

On Friday, there was a minor incident between two jetliners from GOL Linhas Aéreas and Azul Linhas Aéreas in Brazil.

The GOL aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 registration PR-GUQ, had just landed from Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) operating flight G32026. Meanwhile, the Azul aircraft, an Embraer E190 registration PR-AYN, had just landed from Brasilia International Airport (BSB), running flight AD4397.

According to local aviation journalist Lito Sousa, the winglet from GOL’s Boeing aircraft tore down a section of the Embraer’s tail. Both planes were damaged by the impact and are currently grounded.

Simple Flying reached both airlines for a statement regarding the incident. Azul stated,

“Azul informs that during the taxiing procedure, a GOL aircraft accidentally hit the rear of the fuselage of a company plane this evening in Campinas. Azul emphasizes that there were no injuries and that the company's aircraft was empty and stopped overnight. The plane was made available to the maintenance team for the necessary repairs.”

GOL said,

"GOL informs that during the cab procedure of flight G32026, arriving at Viracopos airport in Campinas - SP, coming from Rio de Janeiro, the wingtip of the aircraft accidentally hit the tail end of an Azul aircraft. GOL passengers disembarked safely and the aircraft was made available to engineering and maintenance for evaluation and repair."

Several videos and photos are available on social media regarding the incident, showing the damage to GOL’s wingtip and Azul’s tail.

How did it happen?

According to the Brazilian journalist, the crews of both aircraft were at fault in the incident.

The Embraer E190 was incorrectly parked, and the GOL did a wide turn while taxiing, which led to the impact.

Additionally, the air traffic control management failed to direct the GOL correctly or ask Azul’s Embraer to park correctly.

The aircraft involved

Azul’s Embraer is an ERJ-190-200AR delivered in October 2010. The jetliner has General Electric CF34-10E engines, according to data provided by ch-aviation.

The owner of the aircraft is Bocomm Leasing, and it is estimated the lease will end in 2022. Azul is currently phasing out its Embraer E190 and E195 aircraft, as it receives new units.

The plane has a capacity for 118 passengers in a two-class configuration, 100 in economy and 18 in economy plus.

Azul has 159 aircraft, including 59 Embraer E190 units from both E1 and E2 families. Azul is set to receive 54 E2 planes in the next few years. Some of the older E1s will be retired, and others will be redeployed as cargo aircraft.

Meanwhile, GOL’s is a Boeing 737-800 first delivered in August 2012. The aircraft has CFM56-7B27 engines.

The owner of the aircraft is DAE Capital, and it is estimated the lease will end next year. GOL is also renewing its fleet, with Boeing’s most significant 737 MAX order across the Latin American region.

The plane has a capacity for 186 passengers in a two-class configuration, 144 in economy and 42 in economy plus.

GOL has 142 planes, all from Boeing. It has 21 B737-700, 80 B737-800 and 32 B737 MAX 8. The airline is set to receive 77 MAX 8 units and 22 MAX 10 in the next few years.

What do you think about the incident? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: ch-aviation, Lito Sousa.