History of the Flight
On 26 February 2014, an ATR 72-202, registration EI-FXG, was operating a multi-sector cargo flight from Shannon Airport (EINN) to Cork Airport (EICK) and onward to Paris Charles de Gaulle. The aircraft had been positioned as a hot-spare from Cork earlier that day. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) flight plan erroneously listed the aircraft as an ATR 42-300, leading ATC to clear the aircraft to a parking area adjacent to the East Apron hangar normally used for the smaller ATR 42. After being towed into position, the aircraft was parked facing out for departure.
At 19:42 UTC, following engine start, the aircraft began taxiing under the guidance of a marshaller and a wingman. The Commander, who had 6,240 hours on type, reported dark and rainy conditions. ATC simultaneously queried the crew about a weather SIGMET, which the co-pilot noted. During the taxi, the Commander executed a gentle right turn to follow the lead-out line. Shortly after moving, the crew felt a jolt, initially thought to be a wheel chock. The Commander shut down the left engine and investigated, discovering that the left wingtip had struck the hangar cladding. The crew then completed shutdown procedures and pulled the Cockpit Voice Recorder circuit breaker.
ATC contacted the Airport Operations Office at 20:02 hrs after losing contact with the aircraft. The Airport Fire Service was only notified after the Airfield Operating Officer checked on the aircraft and reported back at 20:08 hrs. By the time firefighters responded, the aircraft had been repositioned into the hangar.
Ground Crew Statements
The marshaller stated that the aircraft began moving without turning on its lights, and despite his signals to turn, the pilot continued straight. The wingman reported that he signalled to stop, but the pilot kept going until impact. The Commander, however, reported that he was following the marshaller's instructions and received no stop signal.
Damage to Aircraft and Hangar
The Operator's Station Engineer inspected the aircraft. Contact was made only with the external steel cladding of the hangar, not the internal structure. The outboard leading edge of the left wing and the navigation light lens cover were damaged. The leading edge of wing rib No. 31 was slightly distorted at three locations, with flange distortions of less than 2 mm and 3 mm. High-Frequency Eddy Current Non-Destructive Testing found no cracks. The wing de-icing boot had a small cut, and the navigation light lens was replaced. The aileron and its travel checks showed no damage. The Aircraft Manufacturer allowed deferral of wing-rib replacement until the next C-check.
Two metal cladding panels and a section of corner angle cladding on the hangar were damaged, along with a plastic drainpipe. The internal steel structure was undamaged.
Parking Area Suitability
The parking area used at Shannon Airport was not suitable for an ATR 72, as it was designed for the smaller ATR 42. The Commander was unaware of this limitation and the reduced wingtip clearance.
Injuries and Dangerous Goods
No persons were injured. The aircraft carried a small quantity of dangerous goods, but they posed no hazard as a result of the impact.