History of Flight
On November 4, 2009, at approximately 1930 EST, British Airways flight 265, a Boeing 767-300 registered in the United Kingdom as G-BNWY, arrived at Dulles International Airport (IAD) from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). While being marshalled into parking spot B38, the left wing of the aircraft struck jetway B40, which had not been retracted to its safety zone. The aircraft was being guided by a lead marshaller positioned on top of an aircraft tug in front of the airplane, along with two wing marshallers. The flight crew reported that the airplane followed the yellow painted line and that the parking area appeared clear of vehicles and obstructions. The captain stated that the lead marshaller was indicating “all clear” with lighted wands. As the airplane neared the final parking position, it came to a stop; the first officer characterized the stop as “gentle,” as if the aircraft had met an inclined ramp. The lead marshaller continued to signal “taxi forward,” and the first officer applied some engine thrust. When the airplane did not move, the throttles were retarded. The lead marshaller then signaled a routine stop. The parking brakes were set, engines were shut down, and normal post-flight procedures were followed. Jetway B38 was placed against the airplane normally, and all passengers deplaned without incident. During deplaning, the flight crew was notified that the left wing had contacted another jetway.
Damage and Injuries
The left wing leading edge slat sustained minor damage. The padded collapsible portion of the entryway to jetway B40 also received minor damage. No injuries occurred to passengers, cabin crew, or flight crew members.
Personnel Information
The left side marshaller and the lead marshaller involved in the incident were employed by Evergreen Aviation Ground Logistics Enterprise, Inc. (Evergreen E.A.G.L.E). Two other E.A.G.L.E marshallers—one on the right side of the airplane and one responsible for chocking—were also present. According to company records, all marshallers had received marshaller training. The captain and first officer were licensed and trained in accordance with British CAA regulations and British Airways policy.
Parking Area and Procedures
Examination of the B38/B40 parking area revealed that jetway B40 had not been retracted and parked within its safety zone by airline personnel. Due to the geometry of the area, Evergreen E.A.G.L.E procedures called for the lead marshaller to position himself as near as possible to the terminal building and stand on an aircraft tug while parking airplanes. This placement allowed him to remain visible to the flight crew but limited his view of activity regarding the left sides of parked airplanes. However, he was in the line-of-sight of the left side marshaller. The lead marshaller stated that jetway B38 blocked his view of the outer portion of the left wing as the airplane taxied toward him. He did not see any stop signals from the left side marshaller. The left side marshaller, positioned behind the airplane at the ramp road, observed that the left wing was about to contact jetway B40 and signaled to the lead marshaller to stop. When he saw no response, he ran forward, but the wing contact had already occurred. At the time, company policy required wing marshallers to remain near the ramp road to monitor ground support vehicle traffic, rather than walking the wings into the parking spots.
Post-Incident Procedural Changes
Following the incident, Evergreen E.A.G.L.E revised its marshalling procedures to use four marshallers and a lead marshaller. Two marshallers would remain near the road to monitor ground vehicle traffic, while two would follow the wingtips of airplanes being parked. The lead marshaller's position was changed from an aircraft tug to a mobile wheeled stepladder to improve his ability to observe other marshallers. Additionally, a specific step was added to the aircraft arrival checklist to remind the lead marshaller to visually ensure that ground equipment, including jetways, is properly positioned.