What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-01-26 involved an AIRBUS 320-232, registration G-EUUL, operated by BRITISH AIRWAYS PLC”, at BG.

Serious Incident Involving British Airways Airbus A320-232 at Sofia Airport (G-EUUL)

On January 26, 2019, an AIRBUS 320-232 (registration G-EUUL) operated by BRITISH AIRWAYS PLC” was involved in an aviation accident near BG. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: 1. Lack of coordinated actions between the flight crew and the ramp agent on the order and procedure of engine start-up during the aircraft push on frozen ground areas; 2. Insufficient and poor quality cleaning and removal of icing on aircraft stand No 3; 3. This summary draws on records from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit of Bulgaria (AAIU), Ministry of Transport.

Sourcesthe Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit of Bulgaria (AAIU), Ministry of TransportPrimary reportUpdated 1785058761Data API Editorial standards

Aircraft registered G-EUUL. Photo: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On 26 January 2019, a British Airways Airbus A320-232 (G-EUUL) collided with a tug during pushback at Sofia Airport after engines were started on icy surfaces. The flight was cancelled with no injuries.

Summary

On January 26, 2019, at 12:03 UTC, an Airbus A320-232 aircraft, registration G-EUUL, operated by British Airways PLC, was involved in a serious incident at Sofia Airport (LBSF), Bulgaria. The aircraft was preparing for a flight from Sofia to London Heathrow (EGLL). After pre-flight ground services were completed, the aircraft was being pushed back from stand No. 3 by a tug on partially ice- and snow-covered surfaces. During the pushback manoeuvre, the aircraft's engines were started and brought to ground idle. On slippery apron surfaces, the aircraft moved slowly forward and collided with the tug. The nose gear and the inlet cowl of engine No. 2 nacelle were damaged. The flight was cancelled and passengers returned to the terminal. There were no consequences for the flight crew, passengers, or ground handling crew.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft was parked at stand No. 3 at Sofia Airport. Following ground service completion, a pushback tractor was attached to the nose gear. The area around the stand and the connecting taxiway L were reported to have ice and snow. During the push, the flight crew started the engines and set them to ground idle. As the tug moved the aircraft, the combination began to slide on the icy surface. The tug driver attempted to brake, but lost control. The aircraft continued forward and struck the tug.

Damage

The incident resulted in damage to the aircraft's nose gear and the inlet cowl of the number two engine nacelle. The damage prevented the aircraft from continuing the flight.

Causes

The investigation commission determined the serious incident was due to the following factors:

Lack of coordinated actions between the flight crew and the ramp agent regarding the order and procedure of engine start-up during pushback on frozen ground.
Insufficient and poor-quality cleaning and removal of ice and snow on aircraft stand No. 3.
Starting the aircraft engines while pushing the aircraft on icy slopes of the stand and taxiway.
Loss of control by the tractor driver due to brake application on the icy area.

Probable cause

1. Lack of coordinated actions between the flight crew and the ramp agent on the order and procedure of engine start-up during the aircraft push on frozen ground areas; 2. Insufficient and poor quality cleaning and removal of icing on aircraft stand No 3; 3. Starting the aircraft engines while pushing the aircraft on the icy slopes of the aircraft stand and taxiway; 4. Loss of control by the driver of the tractor, due to the use of brakes on the icy area.

2019-01-26: AIRBUS 320-232 (G-EUUL) — BRITISH AIRWAYS PLC” — BG