What happened
During a pushback operation, the aircraft VH-VZZ, a Boeing 737, collided with a catering truck. Before initiating the pushback, the dispatch engineer performed several checks and signaled for the movement to begin. At the time, the engineer believed the catering truck had already moved out of the path of the aircraft. However, the engineer did not perform a visual confirmation to verify the truck's position.
As the pushback commenced, the engineer realized the catering truck was still in the way. An attempt was made to take emergency action to stop the movement, but the towbar failed during the process. Consequently, the aircraft rolled back into the catering truck.
The investigation
The investigation focused on why the engineer failed to identify the truck's presence. It was determined that the engineer had opted to sit inside the tug's cabin to avoid the rain, as he did not have his wet weather gear. This position significantly limited his field of vision, as the aircraft's wing and a panel door obstructed much of his view of the truck.
Furthermore, the visibility was severely compromised by environmental factors. The rain and dark conditions, combined with light reflecting off the wet tarmac, made it difficult to distinguish objects. The white color of the catering truck blended with the white aircraft components and the white hangars in the background. Additionally, the truck's lighting and reflective strips were not visible from the engineer's vantage point.
Findings
- The engineer operated under the incorrect assumption that the catering truck would clear the area as quickly as a baggage belt loader.
- The engineer did not visually confirm that the catering truck was clear before authorizing the pushback.
- The engineer's view was obstructed by the aircraft's structure while seated inside the tug cabin.
- Adverse weather conditions, including rain and low light, contributed to the difficulty in spotting the vehicle.