What happened
On April 24, 2014, at 13:08 UTC, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, registration YV2923, was preparing for flight 902 from Maiquetía International Airport (SVMI) to Santiago Mariño International Airport (SVMG). The aircraft was positioned at remote stand 6-B when the pilot received authorization from Maiquet/ground control to begin taxiing.
After receiving visual clearance from the ramp coordinator, the pilot began moving the aircraft using thrust from both engines. While following the centerline and executing a left turn to enter the taxiway, the tip of the left wing struck a passenger transport vehicle. The vehicle had been parked near the boundary between platform 4-B and the taxiway under instructions from the ramp coordinator.
Following the impact, the ramp coordinator ordered the aircraft to stop immediately. The aircraft was subsequently towed back to its original position to allow for the disembarkation of the 161 passengers on board. There were no injuries to the crew or passengers.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of events during the taxi phase and the positioning of ground equipment. The authorities inspected the structural damage to the aircraft's left wing, specifically the leading edge, as well as the damage sustained by the ground vehicle's windshield and frame.