Just before take-off, the aircraft hit its right wing into a brick structure

Dec 23, 2013 14:07 GMT  ·  By

A British Airways jet was preparing to take off when it veered off the taxiway heading to the runway and smashed its right wing into a two-story building, leaving four injured people. All 182 passengers were shocked by the happening and were taken to a hotel to spend the night.

The B747 London-bound aircraft was cleared for takeoff just before crashing its wing in a building where four airport officials were residing. Luckily, the spillage from the aircraft was contained before causing any other damages in Johannesburg's OT Tambo International Airport.

“It was confirmed to the South African Civil Aviation Authority that the air crew got instructions from the Air Traffic Control to taxi using taxi way B. The crew continued onto taxi way M which is narrower resulting in the aircraft impacting on an office building behind the SAA Technical hangers,” the official preliminary report from the South African Civil Aviation Authority's stated, notes Daily Mail.

Due to the impact, debris from the construction scattered everywhere injuring the four officials who were inside the building at the time. The passengers from the flight were unharmed and immediately evacuated from the aircraft and taken to safety.

Recovery teams and investigators were sent to search the aircraft and remove the flight recorder for further tests. British Airways spokesmen assured the public that an investigation was underway and that everyone was taken care of.

“A British Airways Boeing 747 was damaged while taxiing at Johannesburg airport. We have launched a full investigation into the incident and are giving our assistance to the independent South African Civil Aviation Authority with the matter,” notes Daily Mail.

Harriet Tolputt snapped a picture of the aircraft hitting the building and posted it on Twitter saying “BA plane crashes into building at J Burg airport. No one injured only the pilot's pride. Not impressed that first class passengers get off better premium economy during an emergency.”