A plane crashed into a passenger bridge shortly after arrival at a major airport.
The Airbus A350-900 apparently hit the passenger bridge before reversing and striking it again.
China Eastern Airlines flight MU5406 had just arrived at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport from Chengdu when the accident took place on Saturday (2 May).
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Dramatic footage showed the aircraft, registered B-324W, taxiing slowly towards the assigned gate before the wing made contact with the boarding bridge.
Passengers reported a sequence of impacts, stating that after an initial collision, the aircraft reversed and then moved forwards again, striking the structure a second time.
They described a loud noise and an impact sensation similar to turbulence.
According to reports, the high-value Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 engine on the left wing was directly impacted.
China Eastern Airlines confirmed that all passengers and crew disembarked safely via the unaffected side of the aircraft, and the carrier has issued a formal apology for the disruption.
A spokesperson for the airline attributed the accident to a mechanical issue that affected the aircraft’s movement during the taxiing phase.
They described the aircraft, which entered service around five years ago, as having only sustained visible damage near the wing.
They confirmed that all passengers and crew remained safe.
Each passenger was offered compensation of £33 (CNY 300).
The collision occurred during the peak of China’s May Day holiday, one of the year’s busiest periods for domestic air travel, as reported by Need To Know.
No further operational disruptions were reported at the busy Shanghai hub following the incident.
Aviation safety authorities have launched an official investigation to determine if the collision was caused by technical failure, human error, or an issue with the airport’s electronic guidance system.
The plane remains grounded for comprehensive technical inspections as regulators look closely at the procedures adopted during the arrival.
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