What happened
On 16 January 2003, an Embraer 135ER, registration G-RJXK, was taxiing toward parking Stand 24 on Apron 'M' at Glasgow Airport. The flight, operating as public transport with 27 passengers and 3 crew, was moving in darkness during windy conditions, with winds recorded at 28 knots from 200 degrees. As the aircraft approached its stand, the commander observed a flicker of light to the right and identified a baggage trailer moving rapidly across the apron toward the aircraft. The trailer collided with the right wing, resulting in severe damage to the underside and the leading edge. There were no injuries to the passengers or crew. Following the impact, the trailer continued its path across the apron before coming to a stop against a fuel bowser near Stand 22.
The investigation
Investigators examined the movements of the baggage trailer, which had been active at Stand 27. It was determined that the trailer's parking brake was non-functional because a defective latch prevented the tow bar from being secured in the vertical position required to engage the brake. While a ramp agent had used a chock to stabilize the trailer during loading operations, the trailer was later moved to the edge of Stand 28 by a team member. This individual positioned the wheels at right angles to the wind but failed to use chocks to secure the vehicle. The trailer was left unattended by the loading team while they collected baggage, at which point the wind propelled the unsecured trailer into the path of the arriving aircraft.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was the unsecured baggage trailer being blown by high winds across the apron.
- A defective latch on the trailer prevented the parking brake from being applied.
- The trailer was left without wheel chocks after being repositioned near Stand 28.
- The absence of ground staff during the period when the trailer moved allowed the incident to occur.
Safety action
Following an internal inquiry, the ramp handling company recommended several remedial measures. These include providing refresher training for staff regarding defect reporting procedures and reinforcing management's oversight of operational responsibilities during aircraft turnarounds, especially in adverse weather. The company also committed to reviewing local procedures for handling equipment during strong winds.