What happened
On 30 September 2019, an Antonov AN12, registration UR-CKL, was preparing for a cargo flight at Liverpool Airport. Due to the lack of a compatible tow bar at the airport, the aircraft had been parked at Stand 41, a position designated for taxi-in and push-back operations, but used here to allow the crew to taxi off the stand without assistance. During the arrival parking maneuver, a marshaller had guided the aircraft into a position where the left wing was positioned between two lighting stands.
After the flight crew completed engine start and received taxi clearance from Air Traffic Control, they began moving the aircraft toward Runway 2pt7. The crew reported that no ground markings were visible to guide them off the stand, and no 'Follow Me' vehicle was provided. Approximately 15 to 20 meters into the taxi, the crew felt an impact and immediately halted the aircraft, shutting down the engines. A subsequent inspection revealed damage to the outer section of the left wing leading edge caused by contact with a lighting stand.
The investigation
The investigation established that the aircraft's parking position was a workaround for the absence of suitable ground equipment. While this arrangement allowed the aircraft to depart without a pushback, it placed the wingtip in close proximity to the lighting stand. The investigation noted that although the lighting stands were visible in the daylight, the crew lacked specific taxi guidance or markings to navigate the exit safely. It was also noted that while a ground handling agent was present, providing marshalling services was not part of his assigned duties.
Findings
- The aircraft was parked in a manner that placed the left wing at risk of colliding with a lighting stand.
- The lack of a suitable tow bar necessitated a non-standard parking arrangement.
- The aircraft's wing position relative to the lighting stand was a foreseeable hazard created by the parking configuration.
- The crew lacked specific taxi markings or a 'Follow Me' vehicle to assist in navigating the exit from the stand.