Incident Overview
On 27 June 1999, a motorised passenger step set collided with the starboard horizontal stabiliser tip of a Boeing 737-436, registration G-DOCH, at Aberdeen Airport. The collision occurred after the step driver, who had been tasked with servicing an inbound Boeing 757 on Stand 7, moved the steps forward from a stationary position behind the Boeing 737 parked on Stand 6.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737-436, G-DOCH, manufactured in 1991. It was powered by two CFM56-3C1 turbofan engines. The flight was a public transport operation. The number of persons on board and any injuries were not reported.
Sequence of Events
The driver of the motorised passenger steps was initially stationary behind G-DOCH, which was parked on Stand 6. After the inbound Boeing 757 arrived on Stand 7, the driver moved the steps forward. In doing so, the steps collided with the tip of the starboard horizontal stabiliser of G-DOCH. The impact was felt on the flight deck and caused a member of the cabin crew to fall over.
Damage and Aftermath
The collision resulted in serious damage to the starboard horizontal stabiliser tip. Subsequent inspection by airport management revealed that G-DOCH had been parked approximately 1 metre short of the stand stop mark. This positioning caused the trailing edge tips of the horizontal stabiliser to protrude over the white roadway line at the rear of the stand.