A brand new JetBlue Airbus A220 has been grounded after its wing tip collided with the airport building, smashing the windows of an Applebee’s restaurant inside the terminal, after ground handlers accidentally pushed the plane back too far from the gate.
Flight and aircraft details
- JetBlue flight B6-1282
- Route: Richmond (RIC) – Boston (BOS)
- Aircraft: Airbus A220-300
- Registration: N3257J
- Age: Four months
JetBlue flight B6-1282 was preparing for departure from Richmond, Virginia, at around 12:10 pm on September 11, but the aircraft never even made it to the taxiway before it was grounded.
Embarassingly, the aircraft was only delivered to JetBlue fresh from the Airbus factory in Canada four months ago, and it has already been taken out of service so that the wing can be repaired.
The accident occurred when the plane was being pushed back from the gate in preparation for departure. The tug driver pushed the aircraft back too far, causing the left-hand wing tip to smash into the terminal building, smashing several windows and wrecking the wing tip.
The passengers then had to be deplaned while JetBlue worked out what to do next, with the airline eventually finding a spare plane to fly the passengers out of Richmond five hours later than scheduled.
JetBlue’s New Livery
The aircraft featured a brand new livery called ‘Hops’, which is the first JetBlue aircraft to feature violet accents – clearly visible on the mangled wing tip.
JetBlue is currently in the process of rolling out a new design language across its aircraft, which features an all-blue fuselage and more expansive tailfin designs that extend to the body of the aircraft.
The reworked livery, which was first unveiled more than two years ago in June 2023, also features a larger JetBlue logo on the side of the fuselage along with a logo on the belly of the plane.
The A220’s Role In JetBlue’s Fleet
JetBlue has recently taken delivery of its 52nd Airbus A220, which forms part of a long-term plan to modernize and rationalize the airline’s fleet with all Airbus aircraft.
The carrier has a total of 100 A220s on order, each capable of carrying 140 passengers.
The A220s replace JetBlue’s regional Embraer E190 jets, the last of which was retired earlier this week. Although JetBlue’s Chief Operating Officer, Warren Christie, says the E190s were “instrumental” in the airline’s early years, the newer A220s have an enhanced range that will enable JetBlue to open up new markets.
Two United Planes Collided At SFO Last Week
Ground incidents like this are uncommon but not unheard of, as was evidenced on September 1 when two United Airlines planes collided at San Francisco International Airport.
The incident occurred when a United Boeing 737 was being pushed back from the gate, with the tail “making contact” with the tail of another United 737, which was parked at the gate and actively boarding passengers.
Passengers onboard the parked plane describe the moment the jet shook before they were quickly deplaned. Thankfully, no one was injured, although both planes had to be grounded and alternative aircraft found before passengers could continue their journeys.
I’ve eaten at that Applebee’s in RIC many times. It deserved to get hit.
Too funny, in retrospect. The A220 is a great jet. Too bad its wingtip hit a crap restaurant!