On April 10, 2003, a DE Havilland DHC-6 (registration N886EA) was involved in an aviation accident near Anchorage, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the captain to maintain adequate clearance between the airplane's wingtip and a parked vehicle. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During taxi to gate after a scheduled domestic flight, the left wing of an airliner struck a parked fleet service van. No wing-walkers were used despite company policy. The incident caused damage to the wing structure.
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.
