A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 collided with three fuel trucks on the apron of Malta International Airport (MLA), on April 2, 2021.
The aircraft, registered 9H-QCJ, was being towed when a towbar snapped. The plane continued its course until it hit three fuel trucks that were parked on the apron, causing fuel to leak. No passengers were on board at the time of the collision and no injuries were reported.
The airport firefighting team was sent to the scene, along with the Maltese Bureau of Air Accident Investigation.
The incident forced the airport to close operations for less than an hour. “LH1276 operated by Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) from Frankfurt and UG1300 operated by Tunisair from Tunis-Carthage were diverted to Catania and Tunis respectively,” the airport said in a statement.
A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 registered 9H-QCJ hit 3 SkyTanking bowsers on Apron 1 while being towed. A spanking new Global 7500 of Vistajet was parked on Apron 1 at the time of the accident. It appears the aircraft careened forward after towbar snapped from position. pic.twitter.com/v4BC4VD9CK
— Malta Aviation Outlook (@MaltaAvOutlook) April 2, 2021