Air Algérie Boeing 737-800 Suffers Damage At Tlemcen Airport
Summary
- A Boeing 737-800 operated by Air Algérie sustained major damage to the winglet after hitting a light mast at Tlemcen Airport.
- This incident highlights the complexities that pilots encounter while taxiing at airports, with two similar incidents occurring in the past year.
- More than 20 737-800s are active in the airline’s fleet.
A Boeing 737-800 operated by Air Algérie remains on the ground at Tlemcen Airport after sustaining major damage to the winglet on the right wing. The aircraft had arrived from Paris when it reportedly hit a light mast.
The incident sparked conversation regarding the complexities that pilots sometimes encounter while taxiing an aircraft at an airport. While this type of accident is somewhat uncommon, there have been at least two incidents where planes have come in contact with lighting poles at airports in the last year.
Details of the incident
According to Air Plus News, the aircraft, 7T-VKJ, was significantly damaged at the right winglet after performing AH1087 from Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport on Thursday. Photos show the winglet torn off almost entirely, with metal scraps dangling from the wing. The damage comes from a light mast the aircraft reportedly hit following its arrival at Tlemcen Airport.
Simple Flying contacted Air Algérie for further information regarding the incident, but a representative could not be immediately reached. It does not appear that any injuries were reported.
According to ch-aviation, 7T-VKJ is a 12-year-old 737-800 that accommodates 132 passengers. The aircraft has nearly 23,000 flight hours with just over 14,000 cycles. Air Algérie’s fleet consists of Airbus, Boeing, and ATR regional aircraft, with over 20 jets being 737-800s. In the future, the carrier plans to welcome the 737 MAX 9 to support its passenger operation.
Sounding off
Some Facebook users sounded off their views of the incident on Air Plus News’ post, bringing up the challenges pilots face on the ground.
“Taxiing on aerodrome platforms is becoming more and more complex with the proliferation of traffic lanes for both aircraft and the vehicles of more and more operators on the platform,” one person said.
Another person focused on the importance of there being no reported injuries.
“The main thing is that there were no injuries or that the crew members had no accidents, it happens to everyone,” they said.
Photo: EvrenKalinbacak/Shutterstock
One user also mentioned the complex job of pilots to maneuver aircraft across airports.
“These are incidents that happen…everywhere in the world…an aircraft taxiing on the taxiways is potentially more likely to have an incident or accident than once in the air…observe the “complexity” taxiing both to get off the runway or to get there, especially at large airports.. the pilot has to cross a whole bunch of taxiways or runways to reach his destination…” they explained.
Other similar incidents
Last month, a Southwest Airlines 737-800 was removed from service after it received damage to its left wing from hitting a light pole at Jacksonville International Airport. The aircraft was flying from Houston Hobby Airport as WN5122 with more than 170 passengers and six crew members onboard. Thankfully no one was hurt. Flight data indicates that the aircraft returned to service late last month. It does appear that Air Algérie’s incident seems more serious, as the winglet on Southwest’s aircraft was still intact.
A light pole sliced through a Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777F at Chicago O’Hare International Airport last year. The freighter had arrived from Atlanta and was supposed to continue to Maastricht, but the incident caused the plane to remain on the ground for an investigation. It has since reentered service.
Sources: Air Plus News, ch-aviation.com
