Accident Sequence
During taxi, the first officer observed the right wing pass over a flatbed truck positioned several feet outboard of the number four engine nacelle. Believing the wing would also clear a crane located further outboard and past the truck, the airplane continued taxiing. The right wing subsequently struck the crane, resulting in damage to the wing and causing the crane to topple over, ejecting its occupant.
Actions of Personnel
The crane had been placed in the taxiway safety area by subcontractor personnel, who took it upon themselves to remove safety barriers that were originally in place. No supervisory safety personnel were present at the accident site at the time of the incident.
Communications
In the 46 seconds preceding the accident, the only conversation between the crewmembers was a callout of "right side clear" by the first officer.