What happened
On January 6, 2016, during ground operations at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWR), an ATR-72 aircraft was being prepared for a cargo flight to Birmingham (EGBB). During the loading process, a forklift made contact with the aircraft, resulting in a minor dent to the lower edge of the cargo door.
Following the contact, a mechanic inspected the aircraft on-site and determined that the damage was negligible, subsequently clearing the aircraft for flight.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the ground handling procedures during the loading of the cargo compartment. The inquiry established that the contact between the forklift and the aircraft was a result of operator error.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was inattention by the forklift operator during the loading process.
Safety action
- Flight personnel have been briefed on the circumstances and sequence of the event.
- To mitigate the risk of similar occurrences, a set of protective covers has been prepared for use on the cargo door edge during loading operations.