What happened
On March 5, 2015, an Airbus A320 was being towed into a hangar at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPGD) to facilitate the replacement of logo lighting on the tail. The operation was coordinated between a technical maintenance organization and a ground handling agent. Due to adverse weather conditions, the towing had to be conducted on the apron.
As the aircraft was being moved, the vertical stabilizer approached the hangar gate structure. The maintenance coordinator noticed the dangerously small clearance and attempted to halt the movement. However, the instruction to stop was not successfully communicated to the tractor driver. Consequently, the vertical stabilizer made contact with the gate frame, resulting in damage to the aircraft's tail section.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the communication methods used during the towing process, which relied on a combination of manual hand signals and radio communication with the tractor driver. The inquiry established that the driver did not receive a manual "STOP" signal, nor was a radio command issued. The investigation revealed that the driver's radio was non-functional because the battery had completely discharged. The ground handling personnel involved in the operation were found to be properly trained and were not under the influence of alcohol.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the lack of functional radio communication between the tractor driver and the ground personnel coordinating the tow.
- A contributing factor was the absence of specific procedures within the maintenance organization governing the towing of aircraft into and out of hangars.
Safety action
- The maintenance organization updated its "Maintenance Organization Characteristics" procedure to include detailed internal protocols for hangar towing, specifically defining communication methods and personnel responsibilities.
- New rules were established to govern the coordination and cooperation with ground handling agents during aircraft towing operations.