What happened
On November 13, 2003, at approximately 14:30 h, an Airbus A-340-313, registration EC-HDQ, was taxiing to its assigned parking position at the South Apron of Madrid-Barajas Airport. The aircraft had been assigned parking stand 74 and was instructed to access the stand via taxiway A-5. The aircraft was being guided by a "follow-me" vehicle containing an instructor and four students.
During the maneuver, the instructor misidentified the assigned parking stand, mistakenly believing the aircraft was destined for stand 84. Consequently, the vehicle directed the Airbus A-340-313 via taxiway C-2. While navigating this route, the right wingtip of the Airbus A-340-313 struck the tail of a parked MD-88, registration EC-GAT, which was positioned at stand 81. The impact caused damage to the vertical stabilizer of the MD-88. Following the collision, the follow-me driver realized the aircraft could not clear the path through C-2 and halted the movement between stands 83 and 93.
The investigation
The investigation examined the communication between the tower and the ground vehicles, as well as the operational procedures of the airport and the airline. It was noted that the tower provided contradictory information during the sequence, at one point stating that the A340 could not fit through C-2, while later suggesting C-2 was the correct entry route for stand 74.
The investigation also reviewed the composition of the follow-me vehicle, which was carrying five individuals, including several trainees. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the airline's standard operating procedures, which require flight crews to maintain vigilance and personally verify clearance if any doubt exists regarding obstacles, regardless of the guidance provided by ground vehicles.
Findings
- The instructor misidentified the parking stand, confusing the numbers of two consecutive flight assignments.
- The follow-me vehicle directed the aircraft via the most direct path toward the incorrect stand, which was not suitable for an aircraft of the A340's dimensions.
- The presence of four trainees in the follow-me vehicle likely distracted the instructor, reducing his ability to perform the guidance task effectively.
- The low occupancy of nearby parking stands may have created a false perception of increased clearance width in the taxiway.
- The flight crew relied too heavily on the follow-me vehicle's guidance and failed to maintain adequate vigilance regarding potential obstacles.
- The crew did not notice the horizontal ground markings that indicated the correct route to stand 74.