What happened
On December 17, 2023, at approximately 06:32 UTC, an Airbus A320, registered as CC-BFR, was parked at position 05 of the apron at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) in Buenos Aires. The aircraft, operated by LATAM PERU, was in the middle of the passenger boarding process for a scheduled commercial flight to Jorge Chávez. During this phase of operation, high winds caused a formation of three baggage carts, which were positioned at the adjacent parking stand (position 04), to move and strike the aircraft.
The impact resulted in minor damage to the underside of the fuselage near the nose landing gear, as well as damage to the cowling of the number one engine.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the movement of ground equipment during the boarding phase and the environmental conditions present at the time of the incident. Investigators examined the positioning of the baggage carts at stand 04 and the impact points on the Airbus A320. The inquiry established that the incident occurred while the aircraft was in a stationary, parked state during a regular commercial operation.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was strong wind conditions that rendered the ground equipment unstable.
- The weather conditions at the airport were identified as unfavorable at the time of the event.
- The movement of the three baggage carts was triggered by wind force, leading to the contact with the aircraft's fuselage and engine nacelle.