Incident Overview
During ground operations, the flight crew of a B717 aircraft determined that a non-standard taxi maneuver was necessary due to an inbound aircraft and tarmac constraints. The maneuver was intended to allow two B717 aircraft to pass each other. However, the crew did not have a wing walker positioned on the tarmac to provide timely warnings about the proximity of their aircraft's tail to the tail of an F100 aircraft. The absence of a wing walker also meant the crew lacked a point of communication to discuss their intentions.
Engineer's Role
As the crew was about to request a wing walker because the captain was uncertain about clearance from the F100, an engineer from another company appeared. Although the engineer used a standard hand signal, the crew interpreted the 'thumbs up' to mean that both the wing tip and tail were clear. Notably, the crew had not communicated with the engineer until the engineer gave the signal.
Collision Sequence
The engineer did not anticipate that the aircraft would make a sharp right turn after it had apparently passed the F100. Once the sharp right turn commenced, the engineer was not in a position to warn the crew about the position of the tail. The lack of a wing walker and the misinterpretation of the hand signal led to the B717's tail contacting the tail of the F100 during the maneuver.
Key Facts
- The incident involved two B717 aircraft and an F100 aircraft.
- The flight crew performed a non-standard taxi maneuver.
- No wing walker was in position to provide warnings or facilitate communication.
- An engineer from another company gave a 'thumbs up' hand signal, which the crew interpreted as clearance for both the wing tip and tail.
- The engineer did not anticipate the subsequent sharp right turn.
- The crew had not communicated with the engineer prior to receiving the signal.
- The collision occurred between the tail of the B717 and the tail of the F100.