Two KLM Boeing 737s Collide on Ground at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport
By Tanveer Ahmed :
Two KLM Boeing 737 aircraft were involved in a ground collision at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Saturday morning, though all passengers and crew escaped without injury, the Dutch airline has confirmed.
The incident occurred when one aircraft, taxiing after arriving from Birmingham, struck another that was stationary at gate D54 preparing for departure to Athens.
Details of the Incident
The stationary aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 registered as PH-BCL, was positioned at gate D54 and preparing for its flight to the Greek capital when the collision occurred. The second aircraft, another Boeing 737-800 registered as PH-BGC, had just arrived from Birmingham and was taxiing toward its assigned gate.
According to local media reports, the taxiing aircraft struck the stationary plane while the latter was pushing backward from its gate.
Following the collision, passengers and crew from both aircraft were safely transported to the terminal building. The airline confirmed that no injuries were reported among travellers or crew members.
Damage Assessment
The aircraft that had arrived from Birmingham sustained minor damage and was immediately removed from service for thorough inspection. The Athens-bound aircraft received minor damage to its tail rudder.
KLM arranged an alternative Boeing 737-800, registered as PH-BCE, for passengers originally scheduled to travel to Athens. The replacement flight departed after approximately three and a half hours delay.
Investigation Underway
A KLM spokesperson confirmed that the airline is conducting a full investigation into the cause of the unusual incident. “We are investigating the cause of the incident together with the relevant authorities and will thoroughly inspect the aircraft before they return to service,” the spokesperson said.
The airline described the collision as “very exceptional” in a statement. Both damaged aircraft will be moved to a hangar for further investigation and necessary repairs before being cleared to resume operations.
Schiphol Airport authorities are cooperating with KLM in the investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the ground collision between the two aircraft.
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