Loading Bridge Strikes Airplane Engine Pylon During Marshalling (N789TM)

Incident Overview

An airplane was being marshalled to the gate by ground personnel from another operator when the incident occurred. The marshaller guided the airplane to a "727" stop bar line located approximately 25 feet forward of the "737" stop bar line. After the airplane was parked, the loading bridge operator maneuvered the bridge toward the aircraft, and the bridge struck the airplane's left engine pylon fairing. At the time of impact, the loading bridge wheels were within the painted hash-mark box.

Investigation Findings

The ground operations investigation report identified the major cause as "a complete lack of communication among interested parties accompanied by the assigning unqualified agents and a lack of direct supervision." The report further stated that the supervisor on duty directed the marshaller to bring the aircraft to the 727 stop block, which was approximately 25–30 feet forward of the 737 stop block. This instruction was communicated only to the marshaller and not to anyone else. Additionally, the supervisor was not present during the aircraft's arrival. The marshalling task was an irregular operation for the ground personnel, who normally handle regional jets.