What happened
On April 30, 2015, an Airbus A320 was being guided into a parking stand at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The aircraft was being marshaled by a ground traffic controller and accompanied by a Follow Me vehicle. During the maneuvering process, the aircraft briefly stopped before the parking stand entrance for approximately 20 seconds before resuming taxiing under the direction of the ground controller.
During this movement, the aircraft's wingtip made contact with a Mulag-type tractor and attached passenger stairs that were positioned between adjacent parking stands while awaiting the arrival of another aircraft. The collision was not immediately noticed by the flight crew, the ground traffic controller, or the ground service agent. The damage was discovered during a standard inspection by a ground service agent, who noted a scratch on the aircraft's sharklet. The contact left traces of paint and rubber on both the stairs and the wingtip. The aircraft was not withdrawn from service and completed its return flight.
The investigation
Review of surveillance footage indicated that the flight crew was aware of the proximity of the ground equipment, as evidenced by their decision to stop the aircraft briefly before continuing. However, following the instructions of the ground traffic controller, the crew proceeded under the assumption that sufficient separation had been maintained. The investigation confirmed that neither the ground service personnel nor the ground traffic controller observed the contact as it occurred.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the incorrect positioning of ground service equipment in relation to the taxiing aircraft.
- A contributing factor was the simultaneous servicing of two aircraft at adjacent stands and the specific manner in which they were marked.
- The investigation identified a lack of clearly defined Equipment Restraint Lines (ERL) at the parking stands.