What happened
On 6 October 2004, a BAe 146-200, registration G-GNTZ, was completing a passenger flight from Cork to Manchester Airport. As the aircraft taxied toward Stand 53, the crew had already shut down the outboard engines, numbers 1 and 4.
To assist with positioning, the commander utilized the Azimuth Guidance for Nose-In Stand (AGNIS) system and the Parallax Aircraft Parking Aid (PAPA) board. While approaching the designated stopping zone, the pilot briefly checked the AGNIS before refocusing on the white line indicated on the PAPA board. Upon reaching a halt, a tremor was felt throughout the airframe, indicating that the number 1 engine had made contact with the airbridge. There were no injuries to the 5 crew members or 27 passengers on board. Following the impact, the remaining engines were shut down, and passengers disembarked via mobile steps.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's use of ground positioning aids and the sequence of visual checks performed during the final taxi phase. It was established that the commander had misidentified the required white line on the PAPA board. This error occurred after the pilot momentarily diverted his gaze from the parking aid to check the AGNIS system. The investigation also noted that the PAPA board is specifically designed for viewing from the left-hand seat, meaning the co-pilot cannot accurately monitor the stopping position using this equipment.