Incident
An airliner was taxiing for departure when a loose string of baggage carts rapidly approached from left to right at an intersection. The captain swerved the airplane to the right of the centerline in an attempt to avoid the carts. Despite the evasive action, the lead baggage cart struck the airplane's left wing. The airplane continued approximately 150 feet down the taxiway before coming to a complete stop. The lead cart came to rest wedged between the wing and the taxiway surface. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Baggage Cart Details
The string of baggage carts originated from the direction of concourse D gates 10 through 14. Each cart was equipped with a manual towbar-actuated front two-wheel brake system. The parking brake is engaged by raising the towbar to a vertical position. To release the parking brake, the brake/towbar-latch is pushed down by foot while the top of the towbar is pushed inward toward the cart until the latch is unhooked.
Aftermath
Following the incident, Northwest Airlines, identified as the owner of the runaway carts, issued an employee memorandum reiterating the importance of ensuring that the braking system is engaged when leaving carts unattended.