A multi-million-dollar Airbus A350-1000 operated by Taipei-based carrier China Airlines has been grounded at Melbourne International Airport after a jetbridge severely damaged its forward left-hand boarding door.
The impact was significant enough to partially rip the door from its hinges.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning shortly after flight CI-57 arrived at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport following an overnight journey from Taiwan.
While the damage to the widebody aircraft is extensive, airport officials confirmed that the situation was managed without physical harm to personnel.
Safety protocols under review after aircraft rolls back
It is understood that all passengers and crew members had already deplaned before the accident took place. No injuries were reported when the aircraft unexpectedly rolled back while the jetbridge remained attached to the side of the fuselage.
While the exact cause of the mishap is still under investigation, preliminary reports indicate that the chocks—used to secure the aircraft wheels—may not have been correctly positioned.
This failure likely allowed the massive aircraft to drift, leading to the collision between the open cabin door and the stationary bridge structure.
As a result of the damage, the scheduled return service to Taipei on Tuesday night was cancelled. Engineers are currently stationed at the airport to assess the structural integrity of the aircraft and determine the necessary repairs required to return the A350 to service.
Historical context of jetbridge and ground handling incidents
Ground handling accidents of this nature, though rare, have occurred at international hubs previously.
In 2022, a British Airways Boeing 777 suffered a similar fate at Cape Town International Airport when a tug driver began pushing the aircraft back while it was still connected to the gate.
In other instances, mechanical failures within the airport infrastructure itself have been to blame.
A notable case occurred in 2023 at Dublin International Airport, where an American Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner sustained heavy damage after a jetbridge unexpectedly dropped, shearing the door off the fuselage.
Potential for lengthy repair timelines
The duration of the grounding for the China Airlines jet will depend heavily on whether the incident caused underlying structural damage to the fuselage frame. Industry precedents show that such repairs can be time-consuming and costly.
For example, a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-300 was grounded for eight weeks in 2008 following a similar incident that resulted in structural complications.
Technicians in Melbourne will need to conduct a thorough inspection before the sophisticated A350-1000 is cleared for international flight operations again.
