New Jetbridge Collapses at Denver Airport

April 2, 2007
No one was injured when the empty jetbridge collapsed Friday onto the wing of a United Boeing 757.

DENVER_An empty passenger bridge collapsed Friday over the wing of a United Airlines plane at Denver International Airport, damaging the aircraft but causing no injuries, the airline said.

The cause of the collapse and the extent of the damage were not immediately known.

Denver is one of the first airports to use the over-the-wing bridge, manufactured by Ottawa-based Dewbridge Airport Systems.

The Boeing 757 had just arrived from Boston and the 184 passengers and crew were still on board, United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said.

The bridge extends from the concourse to the plane. The one that collapsed is a new type that extends over the wing so passengers can use both the front and rear exits of the plane.

The collapse occurred in the rear portion of the bridge, McCarthy said. The aircraft will be moved and repaired after the bridge is raised, she said.

The plane had been scheduled to fly to New York's LaGuardia Airport, but that flight was canceled and the passengers were being booked on other flights.

Dewbridge Vice President Neil Hutton said the company is investigating, and he had no idea what caused the collapse.

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On the Net: http://www.dewbridge.com/