What happened
On 4 March 1998, at approximately 20:15 UTC, a Boeing 747SP, registration ZS-SPA, was stationary at Stand 23 within London Heathrow Airport. During ground operations, a vehicle used for handling aircraft equipment reversed into the aircraft's number four engine. The impact resulted in damage to the engine's tail cone.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the collision and the operational procedures in place at the time. The inquiry established that the collision occurred while the aircraft was parked and that no marshaller was present to guide the movement of the ground vehicle. Furthermore, the investigation reviewed company protocols regarding aircraft positioning and ground movement.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the absence of a marshaller to direct the reversing ground vehicle.
- Company regulations explicitly require a marshaller to be present whenever a vehicle is reversing or when equipment is being positioned near an aircraft.
- The collision caused structural damage to the tail cone of the number four engine.