AAIB investigation to Boeing 737-8AS, 9H-QAA
Aircraft pushed back into blast fence at London Stansted Airport, 21 August 2024
While being pushed back by a tug at London Stansted Airport, the aircraft’s tail struck the blast fence at the end of the taxiway. This caused extensive damage to the rear of the aircraft, including its APU.
The airport operator has taken safety action by making the ‘Tug release point’ ground markings more prominent. The report discusses ways to prioritise tasks and maintain situation awareness, and the importance of ground crew being vigilant of each other, and being ready to act when things do not go as expected.
Download the report:
Download glossary of abbreviations:
Updates to this page
Published 11 December 2025