What happened
On 12 February 2007, an Airbus A319-131, registration G-EUOF, was taxiing to Stand 415 at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal Four. The aircraft was operating a commercial passenger flight. As the aircraft approached its designated stop position, the left wing tip made contact with the flexible curtain on the airbridge shroud.
While the aircraft was moving toward the stand, the Turn Round Manager (TRM) and a colleague observed the potential collision. The TRM used a crossed-arms signal to alert the crew, while a colleague activated the emergency stop button on the Stand Entry Guidance (SEG) system. The pilot applied the brakes, bringing the aircraft to a halt 4 metres short of the intended stop line. There were no injuries to the 7 crew members or 57 passengers, and the aircraft sustained no structural damage, though the airbridge cushion was affected.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation established that the airbridge at Stand 415 had been repositioned due to scheduled floor replacement works. An Airside Works Instruction (AWI) had specified that a marshaller should be present for all arrivals while the jetty was in this configuration. However, the airline's TRM was unaware of this specific requirement and had activated the SEG system, which indicated the stand was ready for use.
Investigators found that the flight crew had checked the stand and noted barrier markers, but because the SEG system was active, they did not identify the repositioned airbridge as an obstacle. The investigation also noted that the commander's view of the left wing tip was obstructed by the focus required to monitor the SEG system during the docking manoeuvre.