On June 2, 2024, Iberia Airlines- Airbus A350 ‘collides with a light pole’ at Pisco Airport in Peru after being unable to land at nearby Lima Airport.
The Iberia Airbus A350 was traveling from Madrid, Spain, to Lima, Peru. However, due to issues with the runway lights at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, the flight was redirected to Pisco Airport in southern Peru. Pisco Airport was used as an alternative landing site for refueling and other necessary procedures.
Iberia Airlines: Airbus A350
After refueling in Pisco, during a maneuver, the A350’s wingtip collided with a light pole. According to reports, the incident took place at around 6 or 7 a.m. Fortunately, no passengers were on the plane. It was a relatively new aircraft, just 7 months old, delivered to Iberia in November 2023.
Breaking Aviation News posted a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing the damaged wing of the aircraft, adding, “Iberia A350-941 collides with a light pole while taxiing to the apron at Pisco Airport in Peru. The aircraft was unable to land at nearby Lima Airport due to failure of the runway lights.”
Iberia’s Response To The Incident
Reportedly, An Iberia Spokesperson said, “Iberia was forced to divert, cancel, and reschedule flights due to a problem beyond its operational control due to the closure of Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima.”
“A large part of the affected operation has already been normalized, and work is underway to provide a solution for the last customers who have not been able to take their flights. As for the information that has been made known regarding the incident at Pisco International Airport, the process was carried out with the guidance of the ground handling operators. Hence, at all times, the captain followed the external instructions and indications of the airport staff.”
IBERIA (airline) headquarters
The spokesperson also went on to say,
“The incident did not cause any damage to passengers, airport staff, or the aircraft crew, as the passengers had already disembarked after the flight. Iberia would like to apologize to the passengers and customers affected by this inconvenience beyond its control and reiterate that it is working to provide a prompt solution to the problem.”
Similar Incidents
In May 2024, the Boeing 747 operated by Atlas Air flying to Miami (MIA) was diverted to Fort Lauderdale (FLL), where it collided with one of the Hangar structures while taxiing.
In April 2024, a collision occurred between a Boeing 787 operated by Virgin Atlantic and
An Airbus A350 operated by British Airways at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) constitutes an emergency.
In August 2022, a Boeing 777 aircraft operated by Qatar Airways collided with a light pole at Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD). Since the right wing sustained major damage, the aircraft was grounded for a few days.
These incidents highlight the importance of vigilance during ground operations and adherence to safety protocols at airports.