A Boeing B-737 MAX 8 aircraft, operated by the Canadian airline WestJet, collided with a parked catering truck at the airline’s hub of Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) after returning from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). No-one was injured in the collision, and the extent of the damage to the aircraft is unknown. WestJet has confirmed that the B-737 MAX 8 was being towed at the time of the collision, and only the aircraft’s winglet collided with the truck.
How did the Collision Occur?
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) confirmed that the incident took place on Oct. 27, at 8:15pm local time.
Early videos of the incident posted on social media suggested that the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was taxiing at the time of the collision, though this has since been proven incorrect.
The airline went on to confirm that the jet was being towed at the time of the collision:
“WestJet can confirm that an aircraft winglet made contact with a parked catering truck while being towed to an overnight parking pad at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). There were no guests on board, and no injuries were reported.”
The TSB has since stated that the incident was not related to the aircraft’s previous flight fromPuerto Vallarta (PVR) or to any planned future operations.
The agency did not deploy any investigators to the scene of the collision.
How Costly Was the Collision?
The extent of the damage to the Boeing aircraft has not yet been confirmed, although WestJet’s statement suggests that any damage incurred was primarily to the aircraft’s winglet.
Winglets for the B-737 MAX 8 have previously been estimated at around $725,000 each, reflecting their role in improving the aircraft’s aerodynamic efficiency. They reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency, allowing it to fly further and faster – a growing priority for airlines amid elevated jet fuel prices caused by the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
The B737-MAX 8 is WestJet’s most commonly used aircraft. The airline currently has 64 of the jets in operation, including the one involved in the collision at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), and has placed orders for six more.
Should the TSB have done more to investigate the incident? How costly will the collision be for WestJet? Let us know what you think in the comments.
