What happened
On June 11, 2015, an Embraer ERJ-195LR operated by PLL LOT SA arrived at LTBA airport after completing a flight from Istanbul. Before ground support equipment could be positioned around the aircraft, ground personnel identified damage to the fuselage in the area of the forward passenger door. The damage was assessed as serious and exceeded the limits specified in the Structural Repair Manual (SRM).
Following the discovery, the operator consulted with the aircraft manufacturer to determine a course of action. A temporary repair was implemented, which allowed the aircraft to continue operating for a limited period of 200 flight hours (later extended to 300 flight hours) before the aircraft would require a permanent, final repair.
The investigation
The investigation focused on determining how the structural damage occurred. The inquiry examined the aircraft's recent flight history and ground handling procedures at the previous station. The investigation was conducted by the operator, with the findings documented in the final report.
Findings
- The most probable cause of the incident was damage to the fuselage caused by the maneuvering of a passenger boarding bridge in Istanbul, although the specific circumstances of the contact could not be definitively established.