Overview
An empty baggage cart was blown into a parked aircraft by jet blast from a taxiing Boeing 767-400ER, resulting in a puncture to the aircraft skin and damage to structural stringers. The incident occurred while the first officer and four flight attendants were aboard the parked aircraft preparing for an upcoming flight, and baggage handlers were loading baggage onto the aircraft.
Incident Details
According to a company flight safety investigator, the parked aircraft was at the gate when the jet blast from the taxiing Boeing 767-400ER propelled an empty baggage cart from its parked position. The cart collided with the left side of the aft service panel, causing a 15 by 18 inch puncture through the aircraft skin and severing two stringers.
A baggage handler involved in the operation stated that after positioning the empty baggage cart among two other carts, he "made sure that it was locked" by giving the cart a "push" from the left side. He reported that the cart did not "budge" after his push. Video evidence of the incident showed the cart being blown from its position by the jet blast, traveling across the ramp, and impacting the left side of the aircraft. The other two baggage carts remained unmoved throughout the event.