Accident Details
On 14 January 2012, an Airbus A380 (registration VH-OQD) was being prepared for departure from Stand 301 at London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3. The aircraft, manufactured in 2009, was powered by four Rolls Royce RB211 Trent 972-84 turbofan engines. There were 25 crew and 453 passengers on board; no injuries were reported.
A baggage tug, towing four trailers loaded with baggage containers, approached the aircraft's forward baggage hold door. As it did so, a partly loaded container on the third trailer made contact with the number three engine cowling, penetrating the cowling and also damaging the container. Weather conditions were dry and clear.
Investigation Findings
The ground handling company conducted an investigation. No technical deficiencies were found with the baggage tug, trailer, or container. The investigation determined that the accident arose because the vehicle driver had not followed existing procedures regarding the approach route to the aircraft's forward baggage hold door. No changes to procedures were deemed necessary, but steps were taken to remind ramp staff of the required procedures and to ensure these were being followed through a system of ramp checks.