Incident Overview
On 17 June 1998 at 0917 hours UTC, a BAe 146-200 aircraft, registration G-JEAS, was parked on Stand F11 at London Heathrow Airport following a public transport flight. The commander was informed that a baggage trolley had struck the rear fuselage aft of the rear baggage hold door, puncturing the pressure hull. The aircraft was manufactured in 1984 and powered by four Lycoming ALF 502-R5 turbofan engines.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries were reported among the disembarking passengers. The crew complement at the time of the incident is not known. The only reported damage was a puncture to the pressure hull.
Pilot Information
The commander, aged 38, held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 3,700 total flying hours, of which 1,800 were on type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 250 hours, and 40 hours in the last 28 days.
Investigation
According to the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot, it is thought that the trolley handler slipped on a patch of oil on the wet ramp and lost control of the trolley, leading to the collision.