By Incident at JFK Airport
Date: April 15, 2024
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000 (Registered as G-VDOT, ‘Ruby Slipper’)
Operator: Virgin Atlantic
Location: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
Cancellation: Flight VS26 to London-Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A350 sustained damage while parked at JFK Airport, leading to the cancellation of its return flight to London.
Incident Details
The incident occurred when a vehicle from catering company Gate Gourmet collided with the aircraft’s engine cowling while it was stationary. Fortunately, no passengers were on board at the time.
Visual evidence shows the Gate Gourmet-branded vehicle lodged beneath the left engine of the aircraft as engineers evaluate the damage.
Response and Investigation
Virgin Atlantic promptly confirmed the cancellation of flight VS26 and initiated an investigation into the incident. Specific details regarding the damage sustained by the engine cowling are yet to be disclosed.
The aircraft, configured to accommodate 335 passengers across three classes, remains grounded at JFK Airport awaiting repairs.
Previous Incident
This incident marks the second recent occurrence involving a Virgin Atlantic aircraft. On April 6, 2024, a Virgin Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner collided with a British Airways Airbus A350-1000 during towing operations at London-Heathrow Airport. Both aircraft were temporarily withdrawn from service.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing, with further updates expected from the respective airlines.
