What happened
On 25 July 2010, at approximately 17:10 UTC, an Embraer 170-100 STD, registration G-LCYF, was undergoing pushback from Stand 34 at Edinburgh Airport. The flight was a scheduled commercial passenger service carrying 68 passengers and 4 crew members. During the maneuvering process, the underside of the aircraft's tail struck a blast fence located behind the stand.
Upon realizing the impact, the ground crew immediately halted the pushback procedure. The aircraft was moved slightly forward to relieve pressure, and the flight crew was notified of the incident. In response, the commander aborted the engine start sequence and shut down the APU. Passengers were able to disembark from the aircraft via mobile steps without injury. There were no injuries to the passengers or crew.
The investigation
Investigations were conducted by the aircraft operator and the ground handling company responsible for the pushback. The inquiry focused on the mechanics of the movement and the specific requirements of the stand in use. An engineer who attended the scene noted that the primary damage was sustained to the APU intake on the underside of the tail when the aircraft was pulled forward following the initial contact with the fence.
Findings
Technical examinations established that Stand 34 is unique at the airport because it is the only stand that necessitates a 'dog-leg' pushback maneuver. The investigation identified several contributing factors related to the complexity of the operation and the management of ground handling procedures. The findings highlighted the need for improved risk assessments and clearer communication during such specialized movements.