ITA A330 Keeps Going After Clipping Air France 777

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Key Takeaways:

  • An ITA Airways A330 apparently grazed an Air France Boeing 777 at JFK, with the ITA crew denying the collision and continuing its flight to Rome despite ATC warnings.
  • The Air France crew reported feeling the collision immediately and urged ATC to prevent the ITA aircraft from taking off.
  • Upon arrival in Rome, the ITA A330's wing damage was discovered, but it was repaired and back in service within two days.
  • Conversely, the Air France 777 involved in the collision remains grounded at JFK.
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An ITA Airways A330 apparently grazed an Air France Boeing 777 at JFK earlier this month and then carried on with its flight to Rome. According to Simpleflying, the ITA crew was warned the collision had taken place by ATC but dismissed it and kept climbing over the Atlantic. The Air France crew definitely felt the collision and got on the radio to ATC. “There was an Alitalia (the ITA plane was still in its old livery) passing behind us that hit our aircraft,” an Air France pilot said. “It’s so you can tell them not to take off.”

There was apparently some confusion in the cab and by the time controllers got hold of the ITA crew they were already climbing out. “Another aircraft on the ground currently, Air France said you hit them or something of that nature while you were taxiing,” the controller said. “Did you experience any damage to the aircraft? And ITA pilot replied “Negative, sir.” On arrival in Rome, the ground crew spotted damage to the wing but the A330 was back in service two days later. The Air France 777 is still at JFK.

Russ Niles

Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
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