What happened
Following an uneventful landing, the flight crew received clearance to taxi toward the terminal. While taxiing, a ground marshaller provided signals directing the airplane to execute a left turn toward the northwest. As the crew initiated this maneuver, the right wing tip of the aircraft collided with a wing deicting cart.
The impact caused the cart to tumble and bounce toward the trailing edge of the right wing. A portion of the deicing cart impaled the right aileron, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The captain and first officer were unable to observe the cart in time to prevent the collision during the turn.
Findings
Investigation into the incident revealed several contributing factors regarding ramp operations and equipment placement:
- The marshaller was utilizing a parking spot on the ramp that was intended for use by a smaller aircraft.
- The airport ramp area lacked lead-in lines or specific markings to assist with taxi guidance.
- There was no designated 'safe movement' zone established in the area.
- The deicing cart had been previously identified as a potential hazard by the former station manager, but it remained in its position due to its required proximity to an electrical source.