Incident Overview
On 6 March 2015, at Wrocław Airport (EPWR), a Boeing 737-500 was involved in a jet bridge incident. The event occurred after passenger boarding was completed, before the front passenger door was closed.
Sequence of Events
After boarding, the worker operating the passenger jet bridge removed the safety shoe (a protective device) from under the aircraft door. As the worker straightened up while holding the safety shoe, the jet bridge suddenly dropped approximately 45 centimeters within 1 to 2 seconds, coming to rest on the fully open aircraft door. The worker then placed the safety shoe into its designated container. The jet bridge operator did not press the emergency button, which would have interrupted all ongoing operations and completely immobilized the bridge.
Upon arrival of the person responsible for technical maintenance of the jet bridges, it was determined that the automatic control system was still active, continuously attempting to position the bridge relative to the aircraft. The emergency stop button was then pressed, halting all operations and immobilizing the bridge.
No passengers or crew members were injured.
Cause
The incident was caused by a fault in the automatic positioning system's sensor, which generated an incorrect signal, resulting in a rapid lowering of the passenger jet bridge.
Preventive Measures
Following the incident, the airport authority implemented several measures:
- Two passenger jet bridges were taken out of service until recommendations were implemented.
- A new automatic positioning sensor was installed on the affected jet bridge.
- Additional surveillance cameras were installed on all jet bridges at the airport: one to monitor and record the operator's position, and another to capture the external area near the sensor zone of the docked aircraft, with the feed displayed on the operator's monitor.
- The control software of the passenger jet bridges was modified to limit the possibility of automatic activation of the safety shoe, including logging its activation and displaying a notification on the operator panel.
- Safety shoe door sensors on all functional jet bridges were replaced.
- The jet bridge operator's manual was updated with revised procedures for moving the bridge away from the aircraft and for using the emergency stop button.
- The updated manual was provided to the handling company and placed in a visible location for operators.
- Documented theoretical and practical training was conducted for all personnel responsible for jet bridge operations.
- Training documentation was provided to the safety management representative.
- After testing the new equipment and updated procedures, operation of the jet bridges at the airport resumed.
No safety recommendations were issued.