Incident Overview
On 5 May 1999 at 1921 UTC, a Boeing 757-236 (registration G-BMRH) was parked at Stand C24 at London Heathrow Airport, preparing for a public transport flight. The aircraft had 8 crew and 109 passengers on board. The commander was informed that the aircraft had been damaged by a vehicle. Upon inspecting the area near the rear cargo hold door, the commander observed a dent with a split in the skin. A baggage loading vehicle was still in place, and it was evident that the vehicle's conveyor-belt guardrail had struck the aircraft.
Circumstances
The commander noted that all baggage had been loaded, and logically the vehicle should have been moving away from the aircraft. It was raining at the time, and the commander assessed the apron area as slippery. However, the Heathrow police, who investigated the incident, reported that the apron surface was good and free of contaminants such as spilled fuel. The police stated that the vehicle struck the aircraft when the driver attempted to move it to the left to permit the hold door to be closed.
Damage and Aftermath
The damage consisted of a dent and rupture in the pressure hull. The aircraft was withdrawn from service for repairs. No injuries to crew or passengers were reported.
Investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Heathrow police, and the information was submitted by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report form. No further analysis or causal factors were provided in the source.