What happened
On the morning of October 28, 2007, a McDonnell Douglas 717-200, registration EC-HUZ, was parked at stand 90 in Module D of Palma de Mallorca Airport. The aircraft was undergoing passenger boarding via a jet bridge for a scheduled flight operated by Aebal.
Simultaneously, a COBUS 3/000 passenger bus, operated by Acciona, was performing a turnaround maneuver. The bus was traveling from stand 91 to remote stand 157 and needed to change direction at stand 88. While attempting to navigate around an MD-88 parked at stand 88, the bus driver encountered heat from the aircraft's engines and momentarily turned his head. During this maneuver, the driver was also momentarily blinded by the low position of the sun.
As the bus attempted to pass between the two aircraft, it struck the right wingtip of the EC-HUZ. The impact caused the wingtip to compress, bend, and detach from the leading edge and fuselage. The collision also caused damage to the bus's windshield frame. While the aircraft sustained significant damage, there were no fatalities; however, the impact caused minor injuries to one passenger and two cabin crew members.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation focused on the movement of ground vehicles and the clarity of operational communications during a period of airport construction. At the time of the accident, Module D was undergoing works that had altered the standard service road configuration, reducing the available lanes and changing the designated points for vehicle turnarounds.
The investigation examined the instructions provided by AENA (the airport authority) and the handling agent, Acciona. It was noted that while AENA had notified operators of the changes in traffic flow via email, the communication lacked any visual diagrams or maps. Similarly, Acciona had passed this information to its staff without further clarification or specific guidance regarding the new turnaround locations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the collision of the passenger bus with the aircraft while performing a turnaround maneuver in a restricted area outside of the designated service roads.
- The ongoing construction works at the airport created an anomalous environment that contributed to a perceived exception to standard safety regulations.
- The information provided by both the airport authority and the handling agent regarding the new traffic patterns was insufficient, as it lacked the necessary graphical or detailed textual descriptions to ensure safe navigation.
- The driver's visibility was compromised by the low angle of the sun and the physical distraction of engine heat from a nearby aircraft.
Safety action
- REC 08/08: It is recommended that Palma de Mallorca Airport develop precise instructions regarding traffic flow and turnaround points on service roads affected by construction, ensuring that clear and unambiguous information is provided to all handling operators.