MD-82 wing strike during taxi at Ronchi dei Legionari

Casualties unknown • Aeroporto Ronchi dei Legionari (Gorizia), IT

An MD-82 aircraft sustained significant wing damage and fuel leakage after colliding with a construction vehicle during taxiing at Ronchi dei Legionari Airport.

What happened

On April 20, 2004, at 10:39 local time, an MD-82, registration I-DAWR, was taxiing at Ronchi dei Legionari Airport (Gorizia) following a scheduled flight from Rome Fiumicino. The aircraft was carrying 92 passengers. After landing on runway 09, the crew proceeded via taxiway Bravo toward the main apron.

While navigating the taxiway, the right wingtip of the aircraft struck the rear section of a truck that was positioned near the paved area due to ongoing construction works. The force of the impact caused the right wing to break, resulting in a heavy leakage of fuel from the wing tank. Fearing a potential fire, the commander ordered an immediate emergency evacuation. While the evacuation was carried out effectively, some passengers sustained minor contusions during the process.

The investigation

The ANSV investigation examined the operational environment and the management of the ongoing construction works at the airport. The inquiry focused on the coordination between the airport management, the air traffic control tower, and the flight crew. Investigators reviewed the lack of updated NOTAMs regarding the taxiway status and the adequacy of the signage and safety protocols in place during the construction period. The investigation also looked into the crew's monitoring of the external environment during the taxi phase.

Findings

Several contributing factors led to the collision:

  • The taxiway Bravo was not closed, and no NOTAM had been issued to warn of the ongoing works.
  • Air traffic control failed to communicate essential information regarding airport conditions and obstructions to the pilots.
  • Ground signage, both vertical and horizontal, did not comply with ICAO Annex 14 standards.
  • There was a lack of a functional Safety Management System (SMS) at the airport.
  • There was insufficient oversight of the construction area by both the airport management and the civil aviation authority (ENAC).
  • The flight crew failed to adequately monitor the external space during taxiing, leading to an incorrect assessment of the aircraft's position relative to the obstacle.

Probable cause

The collision was caused by a combination of organizational and human factors, specifically the failure to notify pilots of construction hazards via NOTAM or verbal instruction, inadequate ground markings, and insufficient external monitoring by the flight crew.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2004-04-20 MD-82, accident near Aeroporto Ronchi dei Legionari (Gorizia), IT?

An MD-82 aircraft sustained significant wing damage and fuel leakage after colliding with a construction vehicle during taxiing at Ronchi dei Legionari Airport.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2004-04-20 involved a MD-82,, registration I-DAWR, at Aeroporto Ronchi dei Legionari (Gorizia), IT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was caused by a combination of organizational and human factors, specifically the failure to notify pilots of construction hazards via NOTAM or verbal instruction, inadequate ground markings, and insufficient external monitoring by the flight crew.

Loading the flight search…