French probe VIP 777 wing-strike at Le Bourget

French investigators have detailed a serious incident involving a Boeing 777-200ER which suffered a wing-strike and tail contact while attempting to land at Le Bourget airport outside Paris.

The privately-operated aircraft (N777AS) had been conducting a positioning service from the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh on 5 June.

French investigation authority BEA says the General Electric GE90-powered twinjet was attempting an approach to Le Bourget’s runway 25.

Weather conditions at the time were “marginal”, says BEA.

While it has not given a specific time for the incident, meteorological data for the airport shows it was experiencing thunderstorms, rain and periods of reduced visibility during the course of the day – although there is no immediate indication of strong winds.

BEA says the crew opted to execute a go-around on short final, but that the aircraft’s starboard wing and empennage “contacted the runway”.

The aircraft managed to stay airborne and returned to land instead on runway 07.

BEA has not disclosed the extent of any damage to the jet. Flightglobal’s Fleets Analyzer database lists the aircraft as being operated by Jeddah-based Mid East Jet.