A Jetstar cabin crew member was injured after a near-miss on the ground at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport on Sunday involving a Jetstar A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 being towed. The Jetstar flight, JQ402 bound for the Gold Coast, braked sharply to avoid the other aircraft, and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has opened an investigation.
The incident unfolded on a taxiway near the terminal area shortly after 7am local time. Both aircraft stopped abruptly, while paramedics treated the injured crew member, who sustained a minor wrist injury. No passengers were hurt. Reports indicate the connection between the Qatar aircraft’s nose gear and the tug was damaged.
Jetstar’s aircraft was following air traffic control instructions when the pilots were forced to brake firmly. Airservices Australia introduced departure spacing measures to manage operations after the event and said it would support the safety probe. The airline cancelled the Gold Coast service and rebooked passengers as investigators review cockpit data, air traffic control records and airport footage.