Brand New Bombardier Global 5500 Crashes into Fence at Toronto Factory

A Bombardier Global 5500 business jet, valued at approximately $47 million, was involved in an incident at Pearson Airport's Bombardier Aircraft Assembly Centre in Toronto. The new aircraft reportedly jumped its chocks and crashed into a fence, causing minor damage.

Photos of the mishap show the aircraft leaning against a broken fence with a lamp post lying on the ground nearby. Despite the incident, the damage appears minimal, with the nose cone suffering the most visible impact.

Bombardier confirmed the incident and stated that no injuries occurred. The company is conducting a thorough investigation, emphasizing that the safety and quality of their aircraft remain top priorities. The preliminary findings indicate that the accident was due to a ground-handling error and not related to the aircraft's design or airworthiness.

The Global 5500, introduced in 2018, features an optimized wing, a revamped cabin, and updated Rolls-Royce Pearl engines. Production of the Global 5500 and its sister jet, the 6500, moved from Downsview to the new $500 million Bombardier facility at Toronto Pearson Airport, officially opened on May 1st. This state-of-the-art factory spans over 770,000 square feet and is touted as the most advanced private jet manufacturing facility globally.

Incidents involving aircraft before delivery, while rare, are not unprecedented. Historical examples include an Etihad Airbus A340 and a Condor Airlines Airbus A330neo, both of which suffered damage during pre-delivery ground handling. According to IATA, such incidents cost airlines approximately $5 billion annually, a figure that could double if improved ground handling systems are not implemented.