Summary

  • Bombardier’s new factory in Toronto saw its first mishap, with the Global 5500 hitting a fence.
  • Despite damage to the nose cone, the nearly $50 million jet looks to be repairable.
  • Damage to brand-new aircraft is not unheard of, particularly against a backdrop of increasing ground handling incidents.

Bombardier’s brand new factory at Pearson Airport in Toronto has witnessed its first incident, after a shiny new Global 5500 appeared to have jumped chocks and crashed into a fence.

Photos emerged online of the multi-million dollar jet leaning against a broken fence, along with what looks like a lamp post lying prone on the floor.

While list prices of aircraft such as this are rarely published, the BCA analysis for 2023 parks the cost of a new Global 5500 at $47.4 million.

Judging by the photos, the aircraft will likely not be written off as a result of this incident. The nose cone appears to have suffered some damage, but otherwise, the jet looks pretty complete.

Bombardier offered the following statement in relation to the accident:

“We are investigating an incident that occurred on the ground-test area at our Bombardier Aircraft Assembly Centre in Toronto. No team members were injured and we are diligently gathering information. Bombardier’s ultimate priorities remain the safety and the quality of its aircraft. Manufacturing operations at the facility continue.”

Global 5500 airborne

Photo: Bombardier

Clearly, the incident resulted from a ground-handling mistake and did not have anything to do with the Global 5500 itself. Bombardier clarified this, saying,

“The preliminary investigation has concluded with no need for any fleet-wide action as the team has ruled out factors pertaining to the aircraft type and continuing airworthiness.”

New airplane, new factory

The Global 5500 was unveiled in 2018 alongside its sister business jet, the 6500. Building on the success of the Global 5000, the 5500 incorporated an optimized wing for a higher top speed, a revamped cabin, and updated Rolls-Royce Pearl engines for better efficiency.

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Both types have been produced in Toronto since launch in 2018. Until this year, that was at Downsview, a site Bombardier has occupied since 1992. But operations have now shifted to Toronto Pearson, Bombardier’s new factory home.

Although it had been functioning as a working factory for some weeks prior, the new facility was officially inaugurated on May 1st.

Bombardier Mississauga new global production facility

Image: Bombardier

The new Bombardier factory is a $500 million investment, which Bombardier is proud to have financed entirely by itself. It covers more than 770,000 square feet and is described by the company as the most advanced private jet manufacturing facility in the world.

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Bombardier: Downsview Ends But Something Better Begins

Bombardier had operated in Downsview since 1992.

Aircraft damaged before delivery

Airplanes being damaged before they can be delivered to customers is unusual but not unheard of.

Perhaps the most famous incident occurred in Toulouse when an Etihad Airbus A340 crashed into a wall before it was handed over to the customer. The aircraft was undergoing stationary engine testing ahead of delivery but had not been properly secured by chocks.

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How An Etihad Airbus A340 Was Written Off Before It Was Even Delivered

The Airbus A340-600 was beyond repair after an accident in Toulouse.

Airbus has had other pre-delivery issues too. In December 2022, an A330neo destined for Germany’s Condor Airlines was damaged while being towed at the facility in Toulouse.

While unusual, mishaps can happen with pre-delviery aircraft just as much as they can with in-sevice jets. Ground handling incidents are estimated by IATA to cost airlines some $5 billion a year, a figure predicted to rise to $10 billion if better systems are not implemented.

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