Fed: safety investigation after Qantas jet damaged at gate

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2001
Fed: safety investigation after Qantas jet damaged at gate

A safety investigation is underway after a tug ran into the nose of a Qantas jet it
was to tow to the runway at Melbourne airport this morning.

A Qantas spokeswoman says the 109 passengers and seven crew had to leave the plane
after the collision, just five minutes before its scheduled 8.10am takeoff for Hobart.

She says at about 8.05am the tug, the small vehicle which tows the aircraft onto the
runway, ran into the nose of the plane instead of connecting with the plane.

No-one was hurt.

The damaged plane has been left at gate four of the Qantas domestic terminal while
the incident is investigated by the airline and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The passengers were allocated seats on a substitute plane and left for Hobart at 9.04am.

AAP RTV sjg/klw

KEYWORD: QANTAS (MELBOURNE)

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