A lorry driver who crashed into a landed plane at Heathrow Airport "probably" mistook the accelerator for the brakes, according to an insider.
The vehicle pierced the fuselage of a Boeing 787-9 at Terminal 4 around 2.54pm on Wednesday, May 28—just minutes after passengers from a Saudia flight from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, had disembarked.
The aircraft was taken out of service, causing long delays. Baggage handlers at the scene believe the damage occurred because the driver confused the pedals, The Sun reports.
One said: “The driver must have probably been trying to perform a safety protocol manoeuvre where, when approaching the aircraft, they hit the brakes on multiple occasions. They have a protocol where they have to fully stop several times when moving towards the aircraft. I think he confused the accelerator for the brakes—smashing into the plane near stand 414.”
The handler added that although the damage “doesn’t look that big”, the fuselage had been pierced.
The next scheduled Heathrow to Jeddah flight was cancelled, while passengers from the first flight experienced delays retrieving their baggage.
A serious incident was declared, with police and firefighters called to the scene. The aircraft is now set to be replaced.
The lorry driver is understood to work for contractor ABM. The incident is being described as highly unusual.
The baggage handler added: “Everyone was shocked because all the work had to be stopped—it’s just so stupid and ridiculous, it’s almost laughable.
“I think it took over an hour to remove the lorry from the airport. They have to take pictures and take down witness reports from everyone involved like the pilot, the driver and the airport staff.
“It’s very rare that it happened—some of us have more than 15 years’ experience of baggage handling and between us we’ve never seen anything like it.”
ABM and Saudia have been approached for comment.
