What happened
On 15 July 2000, an EMB-145EP, registration G-RJXE, was positioned at Leeds Bradford Airport for a public transport flight. During the ground handling process, a crew member was preparing to assist a passenger using a wheelchair with boarding via the aircraft's right-hand service door.
To facilitate this, an 'Ambu-lift' vehicle was being maneuvered into position adjacent to the door. The vehicle was reversing under the direction of a marshaller. During this maneuver, the right rear guard rail of the vehicle, which was positioned horizontally and extending past the edge of the ramp, made contact with the aircraft. The impact resulted in a puncture to the fuselage skin located between the first and second windows.
There were no injuries to the four crew members or three passengers on board, and no fatalities occurred. Following the incident, the aircraft was removed from active service.
The investigation
The investigation was initiated following the submission of an aircraft accident report by the pilot. Investigators examined the positioning of the ground equipment and the sequence of the reversing maneuver. It was established that the damage was caused by the protrusion of the vehicle's guard rail beyond the ramp's edge during the docking process.