Boeing 747-8 prototype damaged in ground collision

[Rob Silliman]

The 747-8 was damaged when it collidied w/ a ground tug while being towed at Victorville.

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2010/06/a-closer-look-747-8f-engine-da.html

The tug appears to have gotten the worst of it.

[Joe Copalman]

You just can't find good help these days, can you?

[Paul Dumm]

So does this mean that Boeing is going to be late (again) for testing at IWA?

[Rob Silliman]

That really depends on how Boeing is testing and any prereq's they have before they can do this phase. 

Obviously - the plane can fly.  If their internal milestones aren't met - they would probably delay taking it to other test locations.  As we have seen w/ the Dreamliner - Boeing's has no qualms about constantly changing the schedule. 

[if the visit slips - I wouldn't be surprised to see it slip two weeks.  Because a one week slip would be moving it to July 4th weekend]

[phantomphan1974]

Someone is in some deep.  for this.