Right Wingtip Struck Out-Of-Position Fire Truck During Water Cannon Salute

There is a tradition of greeting airplanes of significance to an airport with a water cannon salute ... generally conducted by two fire trucks shooting streams of water over the arriving airplane.

Such was to have been the case in Tampa last Thursday, when a JAL Dreamliner landed at Tampa International Airport. But the exhibition intended to honor the Japanese National Soccer Team arriving for a friendly match against Costa Rica prior to the World Cup later this month in Brazil went sour when the right wingtip of the airplane struck one of the water cannons, damaging a position light on the wing.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that airport spokeswoman Janet Zink said the light was "dangling" from the wing after the incident, which was recorded by a Japanese television crew. The video shows the right wing tip being caught under the water cannon, and when it lets go, it springs up and shudders.

Zink said that one of the fire trucks had parked too close to the path to be taken by the plane. She said that the airplane was repaired and departed Monday evening ... though it was supposed to have gotten off the ground on Friday. She said the repair was conducted in consultation with JAL and Boeing.

Zink would not reveal the cost of the repair, or who would be required to foot the bill,  but did say the airport has insurance for such incidents. The paper reports that the trucks are operated by Tampa Fire Rescue, which has a contract with the airport.

Zink said all further water cannon salutes have been suspended until an investigation has been completed.

(Image from Japanese Television Video)

FMI: www.tampaairport.com