China Eastern A350 Brake Failure Causes Airbridge Collision at Shanghai
A China Eastern Airlines Airbus A350-900 (registration B-324W) experienced total brake failure while taxiing at Shanghai after arriving from Chengdu on 2 May 2026. The crew repeatedly applied maximum reverse thrust in response, but the aircraft struck a passenger airbridge multiple times with its left wing and left engine. No occupants were injured, though video footage suggests leading-edge and engine cowl damage. French investigation authority BEA, citing Chinese counterparts, has released preliminary findings linking the brake failure to a cascade of hydraulic and braking system fault messages.
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Impact verdict
Medium impact. The incident involves a wide-body Airbus A350-900 with potential leading-edge and engine cowl damage, which could represent a significant hull repair cost and ground time for the aircraft; however, no injuries occurred and the event is contained to a single aircraft and one airport infrastructure asset.
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