Incident Overview
On March 16, 2017, at 19:20 UTC, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Enter Air Sp. z o.o. sustained damage during ground handling at parking position 93 of Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The rear baggage threshold edge was damaged when a conveyor belt made contact with it.
Investigation Findings
The investigation, conducted by the ground handling operator LS Airport Services S.A., determined that the conveyor belt was technically serviceable and had valid inspections. The operator of the conveyor belt held valid training for ground support equipment (GSE) and had authorization to operate on the apron. A toxicology test confirmed that the operator was not under the influence of alcohol.
The incident occurred due to an error by the conveyor belt operator, whose foot slipped off the brake pedal, resulting in a momentary loss of control over the conveyor belt's movement.
Aircraft Damage and Return to Service
An assessment of the aircraft's technical condition revealed that the damage was within the limits established by the manufacturer. The aircraft was subsequently cleared for further operation.
Preventive Actions
The ground handling operator informed all its divisions about the incident. Department heads were required to discuss the event with personnel during daily briefings and remind them of safe GSE operating procedures. No safety recommendations were issued by the investigation committee.