Ground Collision Involving Two BAe 146 Aircraft at Cologne-Bonn Airport

Casualties unknown • DE

A collision between two British Aerospace BAe 146-300 aircraft occurred during taxiing at Cologne-Bonn Airport due to improper taxi instructions and poor visibility.

What happened

On September 11, 1997, a British Aerospace BAe 146-300 was taxiing from its parking position at Cologne-Bonn Airport when it collided with another BAe 146 parked at an adjacent stand. The incident occurred on Ramp E, a cargo apron area. As the aircraft began to taxi from position P07, it struck the aircraft parked at position P06, resulting in heavy damage to the wingtips of both aircraft. There were no injuries reported during the event.

The investigation

The investigation established that the aircraft were parked in an angled, nose-out configuration at approximately 45 degrees to the taxiway. Due to ongoing construction work on the apron, the parking arrangements had changed, but these changes were not updated in the official aeronautical information (NOTAM/AIC), meaning the actual parking positions did not match the published airport charts.

Because the opposite side of the taxiway was unoccupied, ramp control had instructed the pilot to taxi straight ahead across the taxiway to join taxiway Alfa. The investigation found that the air traffic control (Ground) provided an imprecise clearance, using informal language that suggested the aircraft could simply proceed straight ahead. During the maneuver, the co-pilot taxied straight ahead without following the taxiway centerline and without the assistance of a marshaller. Meanwhile, the pilot in command was focused on monitoring ground traffic, failing to notice the aircraft parked at the adjacent stand. The investigation also noted that the cockpit view of the area approximately 10 meters ahead of the nose wheel is significantly obstructed due to the aircraft's geometry and the angle of the taxiway markings.

Findings

  • The primary cause was that the flight crew taxied without ensuring the path was clear and without the assistance of a marshaller, which was necessary given the aircraft configuration.
  • The tight parking arrangement on the cargo apron contributed to the collision risk.
  • The clearance provided by air traffic control was unclear and imprecise.
  • Poor visibility from the cockpit prevented the crew from detecting the obstacle.

Probable cause

The flight crew failed to maintain adequate clearance and did not use a marshaller while taxiing through a congested area, compounded by imprecise taxi instructions from ground control and restricted visibility from the cockpit.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the null aircraft accident near DE?

A collision between two British Aerospace BAe 146-300 aircraft occurred during taxiing at Cologne-Bonn Airport due to improper taxi instructions and poor visibility.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, at DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The flight crew failed to maintain adequate clearance and did not use a marshaller while taxiing through a congested area, compounded by imprecise taxi instructions from ground control and restricted visibility from the cockpit.

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