Incident Details
The captain was taxiing the airplane to the gate area at the conclusion of a scheduled domestic passenger flight. A single ground guide was marshaling the airplane into a parking spot using hand signals. No other airplanes were parked nearby, and wing-walkers were not utilized. As the ground guide positioned the airplane, the underside of the left wing struck the top of a parked fleet service van.
Damage
Inspection of the left wing revealed that the outboard flap hinge assembly was displaced upward. Repairs required replacement of the outboard rib, the outboard flap hanger assembly, and the wrinkled upper wing skin near the wingtip.
Company Policy
The director of safety for the operator reported that a wing walker was not available or used as required by company policy when aircraft are operated near obstacles.