History of the Flight
A Boeing 757-256 (registration TF-FIK) landed on Runway 27L at London Heathrow Airport at 1843 hrs and taxied to parking Stand 241 at Terminal 2B. The commander turned onto the stand centreline but saw the visual docking guidance system (VDGS) was not active, stopping approximately 20 m from the final parking position at 1848:05 hrs. The co-pilot contacted the ground handling agent, who stated that marshallers would arrive shortly. The flight crew did not inform the ATC ground controller that they were not fully parked, contrary to the procedures described in the Heathrow Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).
Concurrently, a Boeing 777-300(ER) (registration HL-7782) was taxiing from Terminal 4 for takeoff on Runway 27R. It crossed Runway 27L and was cleared to follow green lights along Taxiway Alpha then north on Taxiway Lima. As it turned left onto Lima, the co-pilot noticed that the B757 on Stand 241 appeared to be protruding from the stand. The commander saw no anti-collision light and believed the aircraft was fully parked. He reduced speed and moved slightly right of the taxiway centreline, continuing north.
At 1853:56 hrs, as the B777 taxied past, the B757 crew felt a sudden jolt. The B757 crew realised a collision had occurred. The commander checked with cabin crew, who confirmed they were fine and no one was injured. ATC was informed. The B777 crew did not feel the collision and continued until instructed by ATC to hold position after a passenger reported seeing the wingtip hit the other aircraft.
An airport operator leader vehicle had arrived on Stand 241 just before the collision. The driver saw the B777 pass behind but did not notice the collision. The guidance system was switched on at about the same time. The B757 then taxied forward to the final parking position.
Aircraft Damage
Inspection revealed damage to the left wingtip of the B777 and to the rudder of the B757. Both aircraft were examined. The B777 was shut down on the taxiway and passengers disembarked via buses; B757 passengers disembarked normally.
Ground Handling Context
On the day of the accident, a tunnel used for central area access was closed for several hours, causing some ground handling staff to be delayed. The handling agent reported that due to staff shortages, they could not provide a dispatcher for Stand 241. They stated there was a prior agreement with the airport operator to provide a marshaller in such circumstances, and a request was made when the B757 entered the terminal manoeuvring area. The airport operator assigned a leader vehicle driver, who arrived just before the collision. However, the airport operator reported no such agreement existed and would only provide marshallers in case of VDGS failure as per the UK AIP.
Recorded Information
Flight data recorders (FDR) from both aircraft contained data from the accident. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the B757 recorded the event, but the B777 CVR had been overwritten by the time power was isolated. CCTV and dashcam footage confirmed the B757's anti-collision light was on and working. Radio transmission analysis showed periods of silence on the ground frequency while the B757 was stationary; the CVR revealed no attempts to contact ATC during that time.
Aerodrome Information
Taxiway Lima is a code F taxiway suitable for Boeing 777-300 aircraft. Parking stands are delineated by double white lines; when aircraft are positioned within these lines, sufficient wingtip clearance exists for aircraft taxiing on the centreline. Stand 241 is not visible from the ATC visual control tower due to obstructions. The UK AIP entry for Heathrow describes procedures for flight crews when stand guidance is not active, including holding position on the taxiway centreline and informing Ground Movement Control.