SAFETY REGULATORS HAVE launched an investigation into a \u201cnear collision\u201d between two passenger aircraft at Australia\u2019s busiest airport that injured a crew member.<\/p>\n
The incident, which involved a Jetstar pilot being forced to apply sudden brakes to avoid crashing into a Qatar Airways jet on Sunday morning, disrupted operations at Sydney Airport.<\/p>\n
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said a Jetstar Airbus A320 was taxiing for a flight to the Gold Coast on Sunday morning when its crew \u201cobserved a Qatar Airways Boeing 777, under tow from an aircraft tug, in close proximity on a crossing taxiway\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cA cabin crew member aboard the [Jetstar] A320 was injured, and there was damage to the connection between the 777 nose gear and aircraft tug\u201d as both planes stopped abruptly, the statement said.<\/p>\n
Investigators are collecting data from both aircraft, air traffic control, and interviewing crew and tug operators to determine the cause of the near collision, the regulator said.<\/p>\n
It called for witnesses at the airport to send in any video of the near collision.<\/p>\n
Flights at Sydney Airport are experiencing delays after the incident, Airservices Australia said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur aircraft was following instructions by Air Traffic Control when the pilots were forced to brake firmly after another aircraft came in close proximity,\u201d said a Jetstar spokeswoman.<\/p>\n
A Jetstar crew member moving through the cabin was injured when the plane abruptly stopped, and later treated by paramedics.<\/p>\n
Qatar Airways did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
An official not authorised to speak publicly said early information suggested the tug pulling the Qatar plane did not follow air traffic control instructions.<\/p>\n