British Airways has yet to make its decision whether to repair the Boeing 747-400 that struck a building whilst taxiing at Johannesburg airport on 22 December 2013, says the carriers managing director for brands and customer experience.

South Africa’s civil aviation authority is investigating the incident, while BA and Boeing are evaluating a potential repair of the aircraft, Frank van der Post told Flightglobal during a media event in Johannesburg on 6 February.

It is still to be decided whether the aircraft (G-BNLL) will be repaired or written off, he says.

The Rolls-Royce RB211-powered aircraft was built in 1990, Flightglobal’s Ascend Online database shows.

As BA plans to retire six 747-400s this year, it would be feasible to write off the damaged aircraft, says van der Post.

The aircraft severely damaged a building with its starboard wing, outboard of the engines, when the pilots taxied for departure for a flight to London.

Source: Cirium Dashboard