A Sydney Airport (SYD) utility vehicle, also known as a ute, crashed into the engine of a Jetstar Airbus A320 aircraft in the early morning of January 21, 2024.
The incident occurred on the tarmac of SYD airport when the A320 was being towed in preparation for a flight bound for Adelaide Airport (ADL).
The driver of the Mitsubishi ute was attended to by paramedics, before being transferred to the Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment of minor injuries
Photographs of the incident, published on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), show the shattered windshield of the Mitsubishi ute, which was wedged under the aircraft’s right engine. The body of the car was also crushed under the weight of the aircraft.
No other injuries were reported, and no passengers or crew were aboard the Jetstar aircraft when the incident took place.
“A Sydney Airport utility vehicle made contact with one of our aircraft, which was being towed to the gate without passengers,” a Jetstar spokesperson said when confirming the incident to Australian media.
The spokesperson also said the airline is working with SYD airport officials to investigate the incident.
The incident caused disruption for travelers, as all flights scheduled for the A320 had been canceled for the day.
According to 9News Australia, the estimated cost of repairs to the A320 exceeds AUD500,000 ($330,000).