Nope. Definitely an A380.

I thought that too, then saw more video. A380

Woops
 

msnbc.com Video Player

A380 takes out regional jet

Was the RJ coming or going?

If they were departing, why the turn with the ass-end facing alpha and being pushed so far into it? Why not push into the middle of the alley instead?

If they were arriving, why are they way off they are way off the centerline and obviously too close to Alpha.

If you look at the Google Maps view, its a weird spot for them to be.

Coming in (if you read any captions you would see from Boston) And if you have ever been to JFK you would know that, that is the most ghetto gates in the world, and the center lines are paint on the ground not center lines maybe at some point but no longer are. But way to be a detective, instead of asking you implied.

Hey, it's the Air France square dance!

...and a dosie-doe now swing your partner...:D

Apparently the captain of the 380 was thinking the same thing.

He was taxing for T/O with a large fuel load. Wing drooping? Maybe if he was taxing in after landing the wing might have missed! (Just speculating!)

He should be treated just as we would had it happened in France: The crew (including FA's), the company, and the mechanic who last touched the 380 should all be brought up on charges!

Payback's a b*****.

The FAA could ban him from US airspace, even if they can't pull his ticket.

It's somewhat unlikely that the DGAC would let him off scot-free. I imagine they will take some action, which in the spirit of ICAO should satisfy the FAA. If DGAC lets him completely off the hook for reasons such as family or political connections, then the FAA would be justified in throwing their own flag.

But I'm thinking this is not quite revocation material, maybe a suspension. It depends on whether they they consider an ATPL taxiing a 500+ pax airliner at high speed in a congested area as reckless.

I don't think they pull tickets just for misjudging wingtip clearance...stuff happens. It's the high speed and the warning from ATC that's going to raise eyebrows.

The real punishment is going to come from AF, I can't think of why they wouldn't fire him. His fate really rests with his union...can they get his job back later?

I've stood directly under a 380 wing and compared it to my 777-300 next to it...i don't recall much difference in wing height.

And no way that wing was fully fueled, they're only going to Paris...what's that, 7 hrs max? far from full fuel for that pig...doubt droop was a factor.

Prob inexperienced CA on the 380...they've only had 'em a year maybe?

Takes awhile to know your airplane.

I get the fact that the 380 was in taxi and he should be responsible. BUT, the rj seems a little out of place to me. What was it doing there? Seems like the rj should have been pulled out of the taxi way to me. I guess we will see what the feds say.

They must have had their reasons, probably something to do with not hitting ground equipment...

Not sticking up for the AF captain, mind you, but can you imagine the sick feeling in the pit of your stomach if you were him right after realizing that jolting feeling was your career spinning down the toilet? Prior to this he must have been feeling like king of the world as a captain on the newest jet in the company. Ugh.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I hope the guy keeps his job in the end...he was taxiing too fast IMO but that's not worth career termination (as long as nobody got hurt).

This is my feeling exactly. I am sure the CA of that 380 is really upset over this. Nobody got hurt, but the repair of the 380 is not going to be inexpensive and the RJ might actually be a total write off.

From the video, it appears the 380 was moving along like LUV trying to get an intersection departure :) BUT - we are only looking at a cell phone video of a snapshot in time. The huge size of the 380 against the small stature of the RJ could also make things appear different than they really are. So we will have to wait and see what the NTSB says. I also wonder if you are in the 380, you may not realize how fast you are rolling along given the size and how far up you are sitting.

I really hope everyone keeps their career intact. I would hate to be the Captain that just caused $30+ million in damage :eek: I feel sorry for him/her.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/phot...olN8opTRv7Q%3D

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/phot...4XlyqO5H1lo%3D

Mechanic told me that there were 2 Capts up front. The one doing the driving was new on the A380, just getting checked out, and a check airman in the right seat! :D

ATC did clear them to taxi on a taxiway that was in fact not clear. Not sure how it is on the A380, but on some large jets it is impossible to see the wingtip and lighting was not good.

That C700 sure has a strong tail.

You can see a truck pass in front of Comair just before AF passed behind them, the AF Captain's on the hook for this one.

This is a stretch, and I've ingested a few on my days off:

So, the A380 "Super"has met it's 'Crj-ptonite'.



I'm glad everyone is Ok.

Now that I am thinking about it, can you taxi the A380 from both sides? I wonder if the right seater was "steering."

I've been on the jumpseat of a couple of 747-200's and -400's and seem to remember that both guys could steer if need be (e.g. sharp right turn, the FO has a tiller). Anyone? Freight dogs?

I'm gonna go out on a limb here...

The Captain of an A380 can effectively taxi the airplane at all times.

http://rlv.zcache.com/thank_you_capt...33qizb_125.jpg

But that wasn't my question... better luck next time and thanks for playing :cool:

I was alluding to the possibility of the Captain attending to something inside the cockpit and allowing the FO to "keep it going straight." This does happen from time to time. But if he's got a tiller, well then heck, why not just taxi it all the way to the runway. Plus, as someone mentioned earlier, there were two captains on board, so definitely a possibility.

Decided I didn't want to wait for someone to do it, so I decided to answer my own question: Yes, the FO has a tiller. See the following:

Photos: Airbus A380-861 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
Photos: Airbus A380-841 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Emira...ea926edb971519

Those are some odd straws you're grasping for...

The obvious solution here is to sue an AF mechanic...