Azul and Air France planes nearly collide in Guarulhos.
To prevent an accident, the ground crew was activated and dispatched to the scene.
247 - Two planes, one from the Brazilian company Azul and the other from the French company Air France, were involved in a critical situation on the ground at Guarulhos International Airport, in São Paulo, on Wednesday night (6). A communication error during taxiing almost caused a collision between the aircraft. The information was initially published by the newspaper FSP.
Videos released by the specialized channels “SBGR Live” and “Aviação Guarulhos JPD” show the moment when the Air France Airbus A350-900, registration F-HTYL, and the Azul Embraer 195-E2, registration PS-AED, approached dangerously on runway 10L, about to take off on flights AF-459 (Paris) and AD-4547 (Belo Horizonte), respectively.
At 19:32 PM, the Air France pilots reported that they were ready for takeoff and positioned at the holding point for taxiway G (Golf). Air traffic control instructed them to maintain their position, as they would be the second plane in the takeoff queue. A minute later, they received authorization to line up and hold on the runway. During the maneuver, however, one of the Azul pilots intervened with a direct warning: "Air France, stop!", followed by the same instruction given by the air traffic controller. The French Airbus was already advancing over the Embraer, which occupied the area of the runway ahead of it.
Radio communication reveals the tense atmosphere. The controller questioned the Azul pilots about whether it would be possible for the Airbus to pass safely. The response was emphatic: the wing of the Air France aircraft was directly above the cockpit of the Brazilian jet.
To avoid an accident, the ground crew was activated and sent to the location to check the distance between the aircraft. At 19:38 PM, there was already a vehicle near the scene, but the Azul pilots suggested that it move closer, as from where it was, it was not possible to assess the exact position of the A350's wing in relation to the Embraer's fuselage.
After assessing the situation, the controller informed that it would be necessary to use a tow tractor to move the Azul aircraft away. "From all this madness," commented the Azul pilot, when questioning what instructions would be given to the Air France crew.
With the aircraft grounded, the French pilot expressed concern about the time limit for takeoff, stating that he would only have more "10 minutes available"Otherwise, he would have to return to the yard for refueling. Upon being informed that the estimated time for clearing the runway would be longer, he decided to shut down one of the engines to save fuel.
At 19:50 PM, the tow truck arrived, and, as a safety measure, the Azul pilots requested that engine number 2 of the Airbus be shut down. The recommendation was accepted, and the removal operation began.
The Air France Airbus A350 took off at 20:10 PM, almost 40 minutes after the incident. The Azul aircraft, after contacting the company, opted to be towed back to the apron. Its takeoff only occurred at 20:48 PM—a delay of about an hour.
