The accident happened as the plane tried to pull into a loading bay. Picture: Michael Asten Source: Supplied
A UNITED Airlines plane has clipped an aerobridge while parking at Melbourne Airport, leaving its wing with significant damage.
The plane was arriving from Los Angeles, via Sydney, when the accident happened, stunning passengers.
In a brief statement to the Herald Sun a United Airlines spokesman said the crash happened as the plane was trying to pull into the loading bay.
"There were no injuries reported. The passengers and crew deplaned via stairs and our maintenance team is inspecting the Boeing 747 aircraft," the spokesman said.
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Melbourne Airport spokeswoman Anna Gillett said the jet way was now inoperable.
"The aircraft overshot the parking bay," she said.
"We are investigating the cause of the crash."
Monash University Professor Michael Asten saw the incident unfold from his seat and said passengers were left stranded on the plane for 50 minutes with little information coming through.
"The plane landed and it continued to roll at a slow speed for a few seconds and then crashed into the jet way," he told the Herald Sun today.
"There was this loud distinctive crash that you would get in a decent size car park bingle."
He said the plane was about 4m away from the jet way with a hole in the wing measuring about 40cm.
Mr Asten said there was little information coming from the cabin crew and many passengers had no idea why they were not getting off the plane.
United Airlines flight UA840 has been cancelled.
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