What happened
On 23 April 1999, at approximately 2200 UTC, a Fokker F28 Mark 070, registration G-BVTF, was parked at Stand 53 of Birmingham Airport. The aircraft was engaged in a public transport operation, and passengers were in the process of disembarking from the flight.
During this period, a baggage truck was maneuvering adjacent to the rear cargo door. The vehicle struck the right inboard flap fairing of the aircraft. The impact was sufficient to cause the aircraft to move forward against its applied brakes. While the collision resulted in damage to the aircraft's right inboard flap fairing and the truck's windscreen, there were no injuries reported among the 40 passengers or the 3 crew members on board. The driver of the baggage truck sustained no physical injuries but was treated for shock.
The investigation
Investigators examined the positioning of the aircraft's components and the circumstances of the ground maneuver. It was noted that the rear cargo door of the Fokker F28 Mark 070 is situated directly beneath the right engine nacelle, placing it in line with the right inboard flap fairing.
During the inquiry, the commander noted that there was an absence of secondary supervisory personnel to monitor the movement of the baggage truck while it was maneuvering near the aircraft. The investigation also considered the visibility of the aircraft's structure during ground operations.