What happened
On 12 August 2019, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registration G-CKWB, was prepared for a commercial passenger flight to the USA at London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft was parked at Stand 38, a location characterized by a confined ramp area and the presence of blast screens on two sides. Due to the limited space, specific procedures and ground markings are utilized to guide the tug driver and ensure sufficient clearance from these screens during the pushback process.
At 0910 UTC, ground controllers authorized the pushback and engine start. During the maneuver, the aircraft initially followed the designated yellow line but subsequently drifted away from the prescribed route markings. Although the headset operator noticed the deviation and attempted to signal the tug driver to slow down and reposition the aircraft, the contact occurred before the correction could be implemented. The aircraft's tail cone struck a blast screen, causing damage to the tail cone and the APU exhaust fairing.
Neither the tug driver nor the headset operator immediately realized the impact had occurred. The incident was first noted by another ground handler working in a nearby vehicle. The flight crew became aware of the situation when the APU shut down automatically following the impact. Following an assessment of the damage, the aircraft was moved to Stand 37, where passengers were disembarked and the engines were shut down.
The investigation
The investigation examined the ground handling procedures and the physical layout of Stand 38. It was established that the tug driver and headset operator were experienced in operating at Gatwick and had previously performed pushbacks from this specific stand. However, the investigation found that the driver and operator could not maintain a line of sight to the aircraft's tail during the maneuver.
Investigators also reviewed the movement of the aircraft relative to the ramp markings. The analysis confirmed that G-CKWB was not positioned on the required line or stopped at the designated point, leading to the collision with the blast screen.