What happened
On 22 May 2000, a Jetstream 4100, registration G-MAJI, was taxiing to Stand 12 at Cardiff Wales Airport following its landing. The aircraft was operating a passenger flight with 3 crew members and 11 passengers on board. During the taxi, the commander was following instructions from air traffic control and two marshallers to position the aircraft to the left of the stand centreline.
As the aircraft approached the stand, an Embraer 145 was parked at the adjacent Stand 11, with a fuel bowser positioned nearby. Simultaneously, a Boeing 737 was loading passengers at Stand 13. While the commander was executing a gradual left turn as directed by the centreline marshaller, the aircraft experienced a brief rumble. Upon inspection, the pilot discovered that the left aileron had been bent upwards and the left navigation light was damaged, having made contact with the fuel bowser's hose storage compartment door.
Following the impact, the aircraft stopped immediately, then moved forward a short distance under marshaller direction before the engines were shut down and passengers were safely disembarked. There were no fatalities and no injuries reported.
The investigation
The investigation examined the apron layout and the procedures for aircraft parking at the airport. It was noted that a 1998 operational instruction specifically prohibited the use of Stand 12 if a 'Code C' aircraft, such as a Boeing 737, was occupying Stand 13. In this instance, the Boeing 737 was indeed parked at Stand 13.
Investigators also looked into the response of the ground staff. It was found that the airport fire service was not notified of the incident by the crew or the marshallers; they only arrived after the Airport Operations Director was alerted roughly 20 minutes later.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the incorrect allocation of aircraft to parking stands by the ramp controller.
- The marshallers failed to recognize the risk of a collision in a timely manner.
- The presence of the Boeing 737 at Stand 13 should have precluded the use of Stand 12 according to established airport safety instructions.