Incident Overview
An aircraft undergoing de-icing operations experienced a collision with a de-icing vehicle during taxi. The incident occurred after the flight crew received a clearance to taxi following de-icing procedures.
Communications and Procedural Errors
Investigators determined that communications between the flight crew and the de-icing vehicle operator were inadequate. Additionally, the de-icing crew failed to correctly follow their post-de-icing procedure.
Sequence of Events
As the aircraft moved forward, the crew felt a jolt. An ECAM warning for flight control/slat fault was triggered. Subsequently, a passenger reported seeing the de-ice truck collide with the airplane's right wing.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the incident, weather conditions were reported as 1/4 statute mile visibility, with snow and fog. Temperature was 0 degrees Celsius, and the dew point was minus 1 degree Celsius.