What happened
On May 17, 2008, a Ryanair Boeing 737-800W, registered EI-CSY, was taxiing at Carcassonne airport following a flight from London Stansted. After vacating the runway, the flight crew was not informed by air traffic control which parking stand had been assigned.
As the crew proceeded via taxiway C, they encountered ground marshals. The pilot followed taxiway B2, attempting to reach the first marshal. While maneuvering near painted turn arrows, the first marshal directed the aircraft to turn right. A second marshal, positioned to the left, signaled that the maneuver could continue. In an attempt to align with the first marshal at stand C1, the pilot widened the turn while remaining parallel to the terminal building. During this maneuver, the aircraft's left winglet struck a gutter on the terminal building, resulting in damage to the winglet.
The investigation
The investigation examined the ground signaling procedures, the communication between personnel, and the available aeronautical information. Investigators reviewed video footage which revealed that the signals used by the marshals were non-compliant with standard procedures. It was noted that the second marshal lacked proper signaling equipment and communication tools. Furthermore, the investigation found that the airport manager had not implemented specific training for ground handling or aircraft dimensions.
Additionally, the crew's aeronautical documentation (Jeppesen) lacked a ramp layout or specific parking instructions for the area. The investigation also highlighted a discrepancy in aircraft dimensions: the Boeing 737-800W features winglets that increase the wingspan by approximately 1.5 meters compared to standard versions, a change that had not been formally communicated to the airport manager.
Findings
- The crew was forced to improvise their taxi route due to a lack of assigned parking information and insufficient ramp documentation.
- The second marshal provided a signal to continue the turn without maintaining proper collision surveillance and without the ability to communicate with the first marshal.
- The aircraft's increased wingspan due to the winglets made the intended maneuver unsafe when following the painted ground arrows.
- There was a lack of standardized training for ground marshals regarding aircraft dimensions and proper signaling techniques at the airport.