What happened
On 5 October 1998, an Airbus A321-200, registration G-MIDE, was positioned at Stand N84 at London Heathrow Airport. The aircraft was engaged in a public transport operation, and the incident occurred after passengers had already disembarked from the flight.
During the ground handling process, a baggage belt loader was maneuvered into the aircraft. As the equipment was being driven into the bulk loading hold area, it made contact with the aircraft, resulting in a gouge in the fuselage skin.
The investigation
The investigation was initiated following an aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the area of the impact and determined that the damage was limited to the exterior skin of the fuselage. Following the discovery of the gouge, the aircraft was taken out of service to allow for a detailed engineering assessment and necessary repairs.