Event Sequence
On 30 April 2015, an Airbus A-320 was being guided to its parking position at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The aircraft was led by a Follow Me vehicle along the centerline from the taxiway, then directed by a ground movement coordinator standing at the end of the stand. As the aircraft approached, a Mulag tractor with attached stairs was positioned between adjacent parking stands, waiting to service another arriving aircraft. The A-320 stopped briefly before entering the stand, then, following signals from the coordinator, resumed taxiing. After the aircraft came to a stop, a ground handler noticed a scratch on the winglet (sharklet). The damage was reported to the crew, but the aircraft was not withdrawn from service and performed its return flight.
Analysis
Review of surveillance footage showed that the flight crew had been aware of the potential hazard posed by the ground equipment near the stand, as evidenced by the temporary stop. However, trusting the ground coordinator's signals, they deemed separation sufficient and continued. During the maneuver, neither the ground handler nor the coordinator observed the collision. Contact was confirmed by paint and rubber marks on the stairs and winglet.
Cause
The incident was attributed to incorrect positioning of the ground handling equipment in relation to the taxiing aircraft at the parking position.
Contributing Circumstance
A contributing factor was the simultaneous handling of two aircraft at adjacent positions and the lack of marked safety lines (Equipment Restraint Line – ERL) on the stand.
Preventive Measures
In response, the airport implemented the following measures:
- Updated horizontal markings on parking stands where required.
- Refined the INOP-KRLN procedure (section 3.5) regarding actions when an aircraft stops during guidance by a ground movement coordinator.
- Conducted basic training for all ground movement coordinators per the current training program.
- Delivered Human Factor training for airport operational staff.
- Introduced escort by additional ground handler or coordinator for aircraft parking on stands without ERL.
- Modified stand allocation for positions 5A, 5B, and 5C to ensure separation per ICAO aircraft code and schedule-based separation.
- Improved procedures for positioning aircraft on stands 5A/B/C by parking them nose-to-nose.
The investigation committee did not issue any safety recommendations.