WINGTIP TO RUDDER: Saudia Dreamliner Clips Parked Philippine Airlines Jet on NAIA Tarmac

Aviation authorities have launched a full-scale safety investigation after a widebody Saudia Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner collided with a stationary Philippine Airlines (PAL) aircraft on a taxiway at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) late Tuesday night.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:38 PM on July 7, 2026, sending airport emergency teams rushing to the scene. Fortunately, officials have confirmed that none of the 252 passengers or crew members aboard the moving flight suffered injuries.

The Tarmac Collision

According to operational logs released by airport terminal authorities, Saudia Flight SV871 was taxiing toward Runway 24 for a scheduled overnight departure to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. While navigating Taxiway L, the widebody Boeing 787-9's outer left wingtip sliced directly into the tail section of a PAL Airbus A320.

The impacted PAL jet (registration RP-C8612) was empty at the time, safely secured in remote parking bay 25 after concluding its daily flight rotations. The sheer size difference between the twin-aisle Dreamliner and the narrowbody Airbus left a visual trail of destruction:

• PAL Airbus A320: Sustained severe structural damage, with a massive chunk of its vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly completely shorn away.
• Saudia Boeing 787: Suffered critical tearing along its left wingtip, rendering the aircraft un-airworthy.

Immediate Response and Operational Fallout

New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private consortium handling airport operations, mobilized emergency response units immediately following the impact. Ground crews safely systematically deplaned all 252 passengers from the Saudia flight via mobile airstairs.

The airline quickly processed the stranded travelers, arranging hotel accommodations and booking alternative flights out of Manila.

While both multi-million dollar commercial jets have been indefinitely grounded for heavy maintenance, NNIC assured the public that tarmac operations survived the shock. The collision site was quickly isolated, preventing major backlog delays for other international and domestic flights.

Probing the Cause

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has officially taken over the investigation to isolate the exact cause of the ground mishap.

Aviation experts note that investigators will focus closely on a few key elements:

1. Clearance Miscalculations: Reviewing whether the Saudia cockpit crew misjudged the lateral wingspan clearance while transitioning through the remote parking corridor.
2. Ground Control Signals: Examining airport marshalling logs and air traffic control audio recordings to ensure the aircraft followed the proper guided taxi track.
3. Lighting Conditions: Evaluating tarmac visibility and standard apron markings at the time of the late-night collision.

Both carriers are cooperating fully with CAAP investigator teams. A formal preliminary report addressing safety gaps and liability is expected to be published within the coming weeks.