Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Hits Radar Mast at Antalya

Incident Overview

A Turkish Airlines Boeing 777-300ER sustained significant fuselage damage following a ground collision at Antalya Airport (AYT) on June 11, 2026. The aircraft, operating flight TK2430 from Istanbul Airport (IST), struck a ground radar antenna while taxiing, causing the structure to collapse onto the airframe. The impact reportedly pierced the fuselage and triggered the deployment of passenger oxygen masks. All 267 passengers and crew were evacuated safely, with the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (UAB) confirming only one to three minor injuries occurred during the process.

The Taxiway Deviation

According to the Ministry of Transport, the aircraft entered the taxiway from an incorrect lane that was not cleared for its 64.8-meter wingspan. This dimension places the 777-300ER in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Aerodrome Reference Code E, which mandates significantly wider taxiway clearances than the Code C requirements typically utilized by narrowbody jets. The involved airframe, registration TC-LKD, is a 17-year-old aircraft that had recently returned to the Turkish Airlines fleet in March 2026 after a three-year lease to IndiGo.

Regulatory and Operational Context

The Turkish Transport Safety Investigation Center (UEIM) has launched a formal investigation to determine the root cause of the incident. Yahya Üstün, Director of Communications for Turkish Airlines, confirmed that investigators are analyzing whether the deviation resulted from incorrect Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions or pilot navigational error. This incident underscores the operational challenges faced by regional hubs as airlines increasingly deploy widebody aircraft on high-density domestic routes. Detailed specifications regarding the structural requirements for such aircraft can be found on the Boeing 777 Commercial Aircraft Specifications portal.

Stakeholder Impact

For Turkish Airlines, the grounding of this high-capacity airframe during the peak summer travel season creates an immediate capacity shortfall, necessitating rapid schedule adjustments. Meanwhile, the incident has prompted a mandatory regulatory audit by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure regarding taxiway signage, lighting, and ATC clearance protocols at AYT. Independent safety analysts have noted that the event highlights systemic vulnerabilities in ground radar placement at airports experiencing rapid growth in widebody operations.

Widebody Taxiway Clearances: Technical Comparison

What Comes Next

The Turkish Transport Safety Investigation Center (UEIM) is expected to publish a preliminary investigation report by Q3 2026. Simultaneously, Turkish Airlines Engineering and Boeing are conducting a comprehensive damage assessment to determine whether the airframe can be repaired or if it will be written off, with a final decision anticipated by Q4 2026.

Why This Matters for Airport Infrastructure

This collision serves as a critical reminder of the risks associated with maneuvering large-format aircraft in environments designed for smaller fleets. As airports globally adapt to changing traffic patterns, the alignment of ground infrastructure with the physical requirements of Code E aircraft remains a primary safety concern for regulators and operators alike.