Incident
On 27 May 1999 at 2050 hours UTC, an electric tug was transporting baggage to the rear cargo hold of a BAe 146 aircraft, registration HB-IVY, at London Heathrow Airport. While attempting to brake, the tug driver's foot slipped off the brake pedal, causing the tug to continue moving forward and strike the aircraft's fuselage.
Aircraft and Damage
The aircraft involved was a BAe 146, powered by four Lycoming ALF-502 turbofan engines. The collision resulted in a puncture to the aft fuselage. No injuries were sustained by crew or passengers; the number of persons on board was not specified in the report.
Context
The incident was classified as Category 1.1 by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) in Bulletin No. 8/99. The commander held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence; further details on the commander's age and flying experience were not provided. The information source for this report was the Airfield Operations Safety Unit.