Originally Posted by
Pilot DAR
Is there an authoritative report on this event?
the event has been acknowledged in Chinese newpapers.
Originally Posted by South China Morning Post
The Shanghai-based airline said “a mechanical malfunction occurred” as the flight from Chengdu was taxiing slowly towards its gate and the aircraft hit the bridge.
The collision was minor and all passengers on board the aircraft were safe, it said.
“The flight crew immediately handled it according to established procedures,” China Eastern said, adding that passengers disembarked in an orderly manner.
“The cause of this incident is currently under investigation."
"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience it may have caused to passengers’ travel.”
My uneducated guess is on some kind of total brake failure, although seems unlikely after a normal landing and taxi. In case of existing brake problems they should have been prepared or even waited for a tow truck.
Even a crew being caught by surprise by a brake failure and impacting the jet bridges, wouldn't be so stupid to intentionally reverse out of the 'crash' site.
I think they applied reverse as a last second desperate attempt to avoid the initial impact, only to be confronted by the lag in opening/closing the reversers and the non negligible big fan residual thrust.