What happened
On the night of November 19, 2018, an Airbus A340-313, registration LV-FPU, was taxiing at Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) following a scheduled commercial flight from Madrid. As the aircraft turned left at the intersection of taxiway D and the apron, the left winglet struck the extended hydraulic discharge arm of an airport fire engine.
The fire engine was positioned on the left side of the taxiway as part of an informal "honorary arch" ceremony, a tradition used to celebrate a pilot's final flight or a new airline route. The impact caused minor damage to the aircraft's winglet tip and slight damage to the vehicle's hydraulic arm and hose, though the fire engine remained operational. There were no injuries among the 250 passengers or the 13 crew members on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the positioning of the aircraft and the fire vehicle, the lighting conditions at the time of the event, and the regulatory framework governing airport ground operations. Investigators utilized airport video footage to reconstruct the collision.
It was established that the aircraft was following the taxiway centerline, assuming a clear obstacle-free zone. However, the fire engine was positioned within the safety margins required by local regulations. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's own shadow, combined with poor lighting in that specific sector of the taxiway, likely obscured the vehicle from the pilots' view during the turn.
Findings
- The fire engine was encroaching on the obstacle-free zone mandated by aviation regulations.
- The extended hydraulic arm of the fire engine prevented the vehicle from moving quickly to avoid the collision.
- The ceremony was an informal practice lacking a standardized, documented procedure.
- Nighttime visibility was compromised by insufficient lighting in the area and the shadow cast by the aircraft during the maneuver.