Incident
On 20 June 2017, at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA), a CRJ-900 aircraft sustained damage to the left wing trailing edge during ground handling at the parking stand. A tug-trailer combination struck the wing while maneuvering toward a belt loader positioned at the cargo compartment. The collision resulted in damage to the trailing edge.
Investigation
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Grzegorz Dańko. The investigation team found that the employee involved in the incident held valid training and authorizations for operating ground support equipment (GSE) and performing aircraft handling tasks. The GSE used was serviceable and had passed technical inspections. The operator's procedures and operational instructions described safe aircraft handling practices in stands with limited infrastructure.
Cause
The investigation determined that the incident occurred due to failure to maintain proper caution while moving on the airport apron in conditions of limited infrastructure.
Safety Actions
Corrective actions were taken against the involved employee. Refresher training on maneuvering electric and diesel tugs near aircraft at parking stands was conducted, utilizing standard IATA manual signals. Two documents were issued to revise positioning rules for the tug-trailer combination and the placement of the GSE operator guide: Bulletin No. 17/2017 (graphical) and an Operational Instruction (descriptive). Additionally, the case is discussed during daily briefings with ground handling personnel. All operator branches were informed of the incident and the actions taken. Collected documentation, including photos and CCTV recordings, will be used in initial and refresher training.
The investigation authority did not issue safety recommendations.
Conclusion
The incident resulted in damage to the aircraft's left wing trailing edge, and the aircraft was not cleared for the scheduled flight. No injuries were reported.