MANCHESTER- An Emirates Airline (EK) Airbus A380 was grounded at Manchester Airport (MAN) after a fuel truck struck the aircraft while it was parked at the gate. The impact damaged an engine intake and forced the airline to cancel the scheduled EK18 service to Dubai (DXB).
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A380 operated by Emirates. It remained out of service at Manchester Airport (MAN) through 15:30 UTC on November 30, following the incident two days earlier.
Emirates A380 Grounded at Manchester
The collision occurred on November 28 when a fuel truck made contact with one of the A380 engine intakes during ground operations.
The aircraft, registered A6 EVP, is 5.3 years old and powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines according to planespotters.net. Initial inspections identified structural damage to the affected intake, which required the airline to keep the aircraft grounded for further technical evaluation.
The cancellation of EK18 to Dubai disrupted planned schedules, as the A380 is among the highest-capacity aircraft in the Emirates fleet.
Ground teams initiated recovery procedures, which included engineering assessment, documentation, and coordination with airport authorities to manage passenger handling and operational shifts.
Increase in Ground Handling Incidents
A review of recent operational data indicates a noticeable rise in ground handling incidents across the industry.
Observers have noted more frequent events involving vehicles striking aircraft, collisions during taxi or pushback, refueling errors, and improper cabin handling by third-party service providers.
The trend suggests a growing need for improved training, supervision, and procedural compliance among airport support teams.
Current Status of the Aircraft
As of 15:30 UTC on November 30, the A380 remains grounded at Manchester Airport while technical specialists work to determine the full scope of repairs.
Emirates has yet to announce an official return to service timeline. The airline is rerouting capacity to maintain network reliability and minimize disruption while the investigation and maintenance process continues.
Similar Incidents
An Emirates (EK) Airbus A380 experienced an apron incident at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) on July 22, 2024. The aircraft’s engine made contact with an airbridge shortly after completing flight EK72 from Dubai (DXB).
The A380 reached its assigned gate at about 9:35 am, where the collision occurred, leading to minor structural damage and the cancellation of the return service to Dubai.
The aircraft involved was the Airbus A380-800 registered A6-EDO, a 14.2-year-old unit. Early assessments point to a possible steering misalignment while the aircraft was being positioned at the stand. Large widebody aircraft often face restricted apron space, which can increase the margin for error during tight gate maneuvering.
Emergency teams inspected the aircraft, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew. The aircraft remains grounded in Paris while repairs and a formal investigation continue.
The same A380, A6-EDO, had previously sustained damage on January 2, 2024, after a lightning strike while approaching Istanbul Airport (IST). The strike created a burn hole in the nose landing gear door, which was repaired before it returned to service.
Another Emirates A380 Ground Incident in Moscow
In March 2024, images surfaced showing an Emirates (EK) Airbus A380, registered A6-EDM, after a ground vehicle struck and became lodged beneath the aircraft at Moscow Domodedovo Airport (SVO).
The incident followed the aircraft’s arrival as flight EK133 from Dubai (DXB). Based on flight tracking data, the return service from Moscow was later canceled.
A6-EDM is a 14-year-old A380 delivered to Emirates in September 2010. The event highlighted the vulnerability of large aircraft during apron operations involving service vehicles.
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