Incident
On 15 July 2000 at 1250 hours UTC, an EMB-145EP public transport aircraft (registration G-RJXE, manufactured in 1999, powered by two Allison AE 3007 turbofan engines) was parked at Leeds Bradford Airport. Under the guidance of a marshaller, an Ambu-lift vehicle reversed to position adjacent to the aircraft's right service door to assist a wheelchair passenger with boarding. During the reverse maneuver, the vehicle's right rear guard rail, which was in the horizontal position and extended beyond the ramp edge, penetrated the fuselage skin between windows No 1 and No 2. At the time, the aircraft carried 4 crew and 3 passengers; none sustained injuries.
Aftermath
The puncture to the fuselage skin required the aircraft to be withdrawn from service. It was subsequently flown unpressurised to East Midlands Airport for repairs. The pilot reported the incident via an Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted to the relevant authorities.