Incident Overview
On 29 February 2004, at approximately 2230 UTC, a Boeing 737-8AS (registration EI-CSF) operating a public transport flight from Oslo to London Stansted Airport was taxiing to its parking stand. The aircraft turned left from Taxiway Juliet onto Stand 65L, guided by the Azimuth Guidance Nose In Stand (AGNIS) system. After engine shutdown and passenger disembarkation, the commander was informed that the left wing had made contact with a set of mobile steps parked in an adjacent bay.
Aircraft and Crew Details
The aircraft, manufactured in 2000, was powered by two CFM 56-7B24 turbofan engines. On board were 6 crew members and 136 passengers; no injuries were reported. The commander, aged 54, held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 19,076 flying hours, of which 3,267 were on type. The damage consisted of a hole in the outboard leading edge of the left wing.
Circumstances of the Contact
The mobile steps had been parked with their wheels outside the marked stand area, but part of the steps' body and the right side safety handrail (left in the extended position) overhung into Stand 65L's designated space. As the aircraft taxied past, the left wing struck the handrail. The crew did not feel any impact at the time.
Environmental and Visibility Factors
The incident occurred at night. While visibility was good and the stand area was lit, the handrail and upper portion of the steps would not necessarily have been visible to the commander, particularly because one light was positioned directly behind the steps relative to the aircraft's approach. The AGNIS system, when switched on, is intended to indicate that the stand has been checked and is clear for entry.
Investigation Source
Information for this report was gathered from an Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot.