What happened
On February 21, 1998, a Boeing 737-200, registration EI-CNZ, was taxiing along the South Apron at Dublin Airport following its departure from Stand 25. During the taxi, the flight crew noticed a cockpit warning light indicating that the right-hand cargo door was open. The aircraft was brought to a halt between Stands 35 and 36.
A dispatch technician, who was nearby preparing his own aircraft for departure, volunteered to resolve the issue. To avoid the danger of engine intake suction, the technician approached the aircraft from behind the right wing. While navigating the area behind the No. 2 engine, the technician attempted to feel for the intensity of the jet blast to ensure he could safely pass. After successfully reaching the cargo door and securing it, the technician attempted to walk back toward the aircraft. During this movement, he was struck by the engine's exhaust blast, which knocked him to the ground and resulted in a fractured wrist.
The investigation
The investigation examined the procedures followed by both the flight crew and the ground personnel. It was established that the technician approached the running engines without a headset or any means of direct communication with the cockpit. Furthermore, the technician did not request that the engines be shut down before performing the non-routine check.
The inquiry also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance and departure logs. While the crew's pre-flight checks were intended to ensure all doors were secure, no record of a cargo door malfunction was noted in the technical log prior to pushback. The investigation noted that the aircraft's assigned dispatch technician was unavailable at the time, leading the nearby technician to intervene.
Findings
- The technician entered the hazardous engine exhaust area while the engines were running.
- There was no effective communication link between the technician and the flight crew.
- The aircraft should have returned to its original stand to address the door issue safely.
- The jet blast from the No. 2 engine was the direct cause of the technician being knocked to the ground.
Safety action
Following the incident, several safety recommendations were issued to the operator, including:
- Installing spare headsets in aircraft servicing vehicles to ensure communication capability.
- Revising procedures for approaching aircraft with running engines during non-routine events.
- Reviewing the required duration for dispatch technicians to remain at the stand following an aircraft's departure.