What happened
On 19 June 2016, at approximately 23:40 UTC, an Airbus A3/A319-111, registration G-EZGE, was preparing to depart from parking stand 29 at Ibiza Airport (LEIB), Spain. The aircraft, operated by EasyJet, was performing a single-engine taxi departure toward Stansted Airport, carrying 159 passengers and 6 crew members.
To exit the parking stand, the aircraft was required to execute a sharp, constant left turn. The crew was operating using only the number 1 engine, which is located on the left side of the aircraft. During the maneuver, the aircraft failed to follow the painted guidance line on the apron, instead widening the turn to the right. To compensate for insufficient thrust to maintain the turn, the crew intermittently straightened the nose wheel to gain speed. This resulted in the aircraft's right wingtip striking and becoming lodged in a telescoping passenger boarding jetway.
While there were no fatalities, one cabin crew member was transported to a hospital for evaluation after falling to the floor during the impact. The aircraft and the airport facility sustained minor damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, the engine configuration, and the coordination between the flight crew and ground personnel. Investigators compared the actual path taken by the aircraft against the theoretical path required for a type-C aircraft at stand 29.
Evidence showed that the aircraft deviated from the prescribed centerline from the beginning of the maneuver, with the nose wheel ending up approximately 6 meters away from the guide line. The investigation also reviewed the communication and visual contact between the cockpit and the ground coordinator. It was noted that the crew and the ground coordinator were not in constant visual contact, as the first officer was focused on monitoring wingtip clearance rather than the coordinator's signals.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the failure of the aircraft to follow the guide line designated for the aircraft type when taxiing out of the parking stand.
- The decision to perform the maneuver using only the left engine (the engine on the inside of the turn) contributed to the loss of maneuverability.
- A lack of effective coordination and visual contact between the flight crew and the ground handling personnel contributed to the incident.
- The aircraft's path widened the turn to the right, significantly reducing the safety margins between the wingtip and the jetway.