Qantas admits to two-plane collision on tarmac
Qantas initially described the incident as a "near miss". Photo: AAP
A “near miss” between two planes at an airport in Western Australia’s north was in fact a collision, Qantas has admitted.
The incident occurred at Paraburdoo Airport in WA’s Pilbara on Wednesday.
The airline yesterday said the aircraft did not touch, but came extremely close as the Qantas Link plane was pulling away from the terminal about 4.30pm to leave for Perth.
However, a Qantas spokesman said on Thursday the planes did make contact, resulting in a “slight impact”.
Images show the Link’s tail end smashed into the tail of a plane belonging to Network Aviation — a company which is also owned by Qantas.
Engineers and specialist towing equipment are en route to the airport to assess the aircraft.
The Qantas Link plane was transporting about 70 Rio Tinto employees and crew.
Workers returned to the mining camp last night, and are understood to be waiting to be told how they will get back to Perth this morning.
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