Incident Details
A parked airplane was in the process of deplaning passengers when an unoccupied belt loader struck it. The incident occurred on the ramp.
Driver Account
The driver of the belt loader reported that she was maneuvering the vehicle when she fell off due to gusty wind conditions. The belt loader was left unoccupied and subsequently collided with the aircraft.
Wind Conditions
Winds recorded at the airport around the time of the incident were sustained at 25 knots, with gusts reaching 30 knots.
Operator Policy and Equipment
The belt loader was equipped with an operational seat belt. However, the operator did not require seat belt use when operating belt loaders. The parking area for the airplane was a confined space on the ramp, which would have necessitated tight turns while maneuvering the belt loader.