China Eastern Airlines flight hits jet bridge at Shanghai Hongqiao
China Eastern Airlines apologized after one of its flights from Chengdu to Shanghai experienced a mechanical malfunction after landing and made partial contact with a jet bridge while taxiing toward the gate on May 2. The airline said all passengers on board were safe and disembarked in an orderly manner.
The company said the crew immediately handled the situation according to procedures. Authorities and the airline are investigating the specific cause of the incident.
Shanghai Hongqiao landing
The flight landed at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, where the aircraft made partial contact with the jet bridge while taxiing to the parking position. China Eastern said the incident involved a domestic flight and that no injuries had been reported so far.
Passenger Liu, speaking in a report that cited Jimu News, said the nose of the aircraft appeared to slightly overshoot the designated stopping point near the jet bridge. Liu said passengers inside the cabin heard a collision sound and that the aircraft's engine thrust was reversed shortly afterwards.
Liu said passengers stayed onboard for more than half an hour before being allowed to disembark from the opposite side of the aircraft. Liu also said each passenger was provided compensation of 300 yuan, about USD 43.94.
China Eastern statement
In its statement shared on the airline's official account on Sina Weibo, China Eastern said, "Today, one of the company's flights from Chengdu to Shanghai experienced a mechanical malfunction after landing while taxiing slowly toward the gate. The crew immediately handled the situation according to procedures, and the aircraft ultimately made partial contact with the jet bridge."
The airline also said, "All passengers on board are safe and have disembarked in an orderly manner. The specific cause of the incident is under investigation. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers by this incident."
For passengers on the flight, the immediate result was a delayed exit from the aircraft and a compensation payment, while the investigation now focuses on what caused the malfunction during taxiing.
