Incident Overview
While taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, an aircraft was struck by a United Airlines lavatory truck. The airplane had been instructed to taxi from the Signature ramp down Delta taxiway to D1, then turn north on Bravo taxiway, cross the Bravo bridge, and proceed to runway 32R. As the aircraft passed through the D-3 intersection, the truck, designated LT411, collided with the right engine and right propeller, forcing the airplane approximately 10 feet off the taxiway centerline.
Aftermath and Enforcement
The O'Hare Law Enforcement department issued a violation to the truck driver for failing to give way to an aircraft. The incident was documented, and the truck was noted to have undergone a 'B' maintenance check on September 12, 1997.
Relevant Regulations
The United Airlines O'Hare Operating Procedures for motor vehicles include a section on Yielding the Right-of-Way, stating: "No person shall operate a motor vehicle unless he yields the right-of-way to aircraft in motion. TAXIING AIRCRAFT ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY." Similarly, the O'Hare Ground Vehicle Operating Regulations require: "No Person operating a Ground Vehicle shall cross taxiways without bringing the vehicle to a complete stop and observing ground airplane traffic in all directions. TAXIING AIRCRAFT ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY."