What happened
On March 29, 2025, at approximately 13:09 UTC, a Boeing 737-900, registered as HP-9904CMP, was parked at stand number 2 at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, Argentina. The aircraft was undergoing ground handling procedures in preparation for a scheduled commercial flight to Tocumen International Airport in Panama.
During the removal of two empty baggage carts, one of the vehicles struck a conveyor belt. The force of this impact caused the conveyor belt to shift, subsequently striking the door frame of the aircraft's rear cargo compartment. Following the incident, ground personnel notified the operator, who then alerted the aircraft manufacturer.
As a result of the impact, the airline canceled the scheduled flight and moved the aircraft to a remote stand for inspection. Maintenance crews identified minor deformations in the fuselage skin, along with surface damage and paint abrasions in the affected area.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted as a desk inquiry, focused on the physical damage and the subsequent repair process. Maintenance personnel performed a detailed inspection of the impact site. On March 30, 2025, a temporary repair was implemented using two layers of high-speed tape, following established technical instructions. This repair was documented as a deferred item, requiring repetitive inspections every flight cycle, with a mandate to complete a permanent repair within the next five cycles. The aircraft was subsequently cleared for service and successfully completed its flight to Panama later that day.