What happened
On 20 May 2005, a Boeing 777-232, registration N864DA, arrived at London Gatwick Airport from Atlanta, USA. After landing and taxiing to Stand 50, the aircraft was being positioned using visual docking guidance systems. While the crew was maneuvering onto the stand, the aircraft continued past its intended stopping point and struck the passenger airbridge. The impact caused damage to the leading edge of the left engine intake cowl and substantial damage to the airbridge's rotating mechanism. There were no injuries to the 296 passengers or 13 crew members on board.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the aircraft's flight recorders and the ground guidance equipment. The investigation established that the aircraft was correctly aligned with the stand's centerline, but the nose wheels stopped significantly forward of the correct position. The investigation also looked into the functionality of the AGNIS and PAPA guidance systems, the visibility of the emergency STOP light, and the presence of unofficial ground markings. Additionally, the commander's duty time and rest period were reviewed, noting he had traveled a long distance from his home in Texas prior to reporting for duty.
Findings
- The aircraft overran its stopping point due to the commander's lack of familiarity with the specific Gatwick parking system and potential fatigue.
- The pilot was concentrating on the AGNIS unit and was not expecting an active indication to stop from the PAPA board.
- The PAPA board lacked a back-plate, which may have caused the pilot to mistake a terminal window pillar for a light tube.
- The emergency STOP light was difficult to see because the ground-level activation switch was obscured by other equipment.
- The presence of unofficial, hand-painted ground markings at the airport could lead to confusion regarding correct stopping positions.
- The commander's familiarity with the Atlanta-based guidance system, which uses different visual cues, may have contributed to the error.