Operators of an airlift at Brisbane Airport were unable to see two 737s before their respective collisions with their windscreens last year, the ATSB has concluded.
The same airlift, at Gate 82 in Brisbane, broke the right windshield of Qantas 737-800 VH-VZG on June 18 and the left windshield of Fiji Airways 737 MAX 8 DQ-FAE on July 26, 2025, although no injuries were reported on either occasion.
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Both aircraft were correctly parked and the bridge operators were employees of their respective airlines; However, as Gate 82 accommodates both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, the parking position of a 737 is well to the right of the airlift’s initial position, reducing the aircraft’s visibility.
“The ATSB investigation identified safety factors common to both events and found that both aerobridge operators were unable to see the parked aircraft when they began extending the aerobridge,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“Narrow-body aircraft, such as the 737, sit lower to the ground than wide-body aircraft. As a result, to minimize the slope of the passenger tunnel, Gate 82 is parked further from the initial position of the aerobridge than would be the case for wide-body aircraft, or at a gate designed only for narrow-body aircraft, such as many domestic terminal gates.
“In addition, this aerobridge lacked side viewing windows, like those installed on other aerobridges at the airport, limiting the visibility of narrow-body aircraft along the docking route.”
In it ATSB reportInvestigators noted that it was “accepted practice” for operators to begin extending the airlift before the aircraft was visible, waiting for it to come into view during the process. According to Mitchell, this was “reinforced by successful operations in the past.”
“But during the collision events, each aerobridge operator moved the joystick to the 3 o’clock position after turning the cockpit to the left, not knowing that this orientation would change the direction of travel of the aerobridge,” he said.
Consequently, when extended, the aerobridge moved diagonally toward the aircraft, rather than parallel to it, while the aerobridge operator had no visual reference.
The ATSB identified that airlift training and cockpit instructions did not direct operators to obtain and maintain aircraft visibility before moving the airlift.
Subsequently, Brisbane Airport Corporation has disseminated information to all operators emphasizing the requirement to turn the cabin towards the aircraft and maintain a positive line of sight during aerobridge operations.
It also reviewed operator training manuals and identified gaps and opportunities to be more specific in the process of safely connecting airlifts to aircraft.
The airport has also created a new quality assurance function focused on the performance of assets and operators in the aeronautical zone.
“Airbridges should be designed with aircraft visibility in mind, and training should reinforce the importance of maintaining a visual reference while operating an aerobridge,” Mitchell said.
Brisbane Airport says a program to replace eight airbridges, including Gate 82, will include a review of the safety features and visibility of narrow-body aircraft.
