The Canadian Air Force has issued a report on the July 22 collision between its plane and a French Air Force plane at Andersen Air Force Base, citing potential human factors. The Canadian plane arrived at Andersen on July 21 from Hawaii – following participation by Canadian forces in the Mobility Guardian exercise in the region.
“The aircraft was partially secured (without chocks – which prevent accidental movement), and the crew departed the airfield for rest,” according to the report issued the week ending Sept. 8.
“At approximately 10:30 local the following morning the aircraft [a CC150 Polaris] began to roll backwards, nose veering to the left, and continued to roll until the right horizontal and vertical stabilizer contacted the empennage of a French Air Force A400M parked on spot N22. Following contact the CC150 rebounded forward coming to rest approximately 8 meters from the point of impact,” the investigator found. Both aircraft suffered “serious damage.”
The ongoing investigation “is now focused on procedures, communications, and human factors,” the report said. mbj