What happened
On December 26, 2016, at Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (EKCH), a collision occurred involving a BAE AVRO RJ100, registration SE-DST, and an AIRBUS A340, registration OY-KBC.
The crew of the SE-DST had arrived at aircraft stand E77 and, due to concerns regarding wing clearance and the absence of ground handling personnel, decided to stop the aircraft approximately 14 meters short of the designated stopping mark. The engines remained running while the crew waited for marshalling guidance.
Simultaneously, a towbarless tractor (TBL) was moving the OY-KBC from a hangar toward a different stand. As the tractor proceeded along taxiway T, the right winglet of the OY-KBC struck the tail section of the SE-DST. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and rudder of the SE-DST, while the OY-KBC sustained minor damage to its winglet. No injuries were reported.
The investigation
The Danish Accident Investigation Board examined the conflicting perceptions of the three parties involved. The investigation focused on why the aircraft were positioned in a way that led to the impact.
Investigators reviewed radar data from the Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (S-MGCS), radio communications, and interviews with the TBL driver, the flight crew, and apron controllers. The inquiry also looked into the discrepancy between the aircraft operator's expectations regarding marshalling services and the actual services provided by the handling agent.
Findings
- The accident was driven by three diverging mental realities among the personnel involved.
- The TBL driver perceived the SE-DST as being correctly positioned within the stand markings and assumed it was outgoing traffic following the towed aircraft.
- The flight crew of the SE-DSS stopped short of the mark due to uncertainty regarding obstacle clearance and a lack of familiarity with the specific parking procedures at the airport.
- Kastrup Apron controllers believed the SE-DST had already fully parked, as nine minutes had elapsed since its arrival.
- The TBL driver and the flight deck operator on the OY-KBC had not established direct radio communication, which may have reduced situational awareness.
- The TBL driver's reliance on expectations rather than verifying the actual position of the stationary aircraft contributed to the collision.