Incident Overview
A service truck impacted a parked airplane, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The incident occurred while the airplane was being prepared for departure. The flight crew was in the process of fueling the airplane, which was scheduled to depart in one hour.
Positions of Crew Members
Reports regarding the locations of the flight crew at the time of impact differ. According to the manager of regulatory compliance for the operator, the first officer was on the ground and the captain was in the terminal. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the flight crew stated the captain was on board the airplane and the first officer was on the ground.
Account of the Service Truck Driver
The FAA inspector added that the service truck driver reported that he was crossing the taxiway on the zipper road. As he approached the main terminal road, a bag cart tug pulled out in front of him, causing him to swerve into the parked airplane.
Damage and Mechanical Condition
The left wing of the airplane sustained substantial damage. The operator's manager stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Regulatory Involvement
An FAA inspector responded to the incident and gathered information from the flight crew and the service truck driver.