Factual Information
The serious incident occurred on July 25, 2018, at 02:18:37 UTC at Burgas Airport (LBBG), Bulgaria, on aircraft stand 14. The aircraft involved was a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, registration LZ-LDW, operated by Bulgarian Air Charter Ltd. The flight, number BUC3131, was a charter service from Burgas to Berlin Schönefeld Airport (EDDB), with a planned takeoff at 02:30 UTC. On board were 155 passengers and a crew of 6.
During passenger embarkation, the apron bus, which had transported passengers from the terminal to the aircraft, began to leave the stand. While maneuvering around the aircraft, the bus struck the wingtip of the right wing. The collision occurred at night. The flight was subsequently cancelled, and passengers were returned to the terminal.
Damage to Aircraft and Bus
Inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the right wingtip, including deformation of the end web, broken louver and lamp, broken strobe forward light, broken wing landing light, broken lens of forward position light and strobe light, and broken fairing logo light all on the right wing. The apron bus sustained deformation of the beam and frame of the first left door, deformation of the frame and a broken window between the first and second left doors, and deformation of the beam and frame of the third left door.
Personnel Information
The driver of the apron bus was a 64-year-old male holding a category D driving license since November 1, 1978.
Cause of the Incident
According to the investigation commission, the prime cause of the serious incident was violations of the technology during ground handling of the aircraft service by the bus driver when leaving the aircraft stand, which allowed the apron bus to manoeuvre below the minimum permissible safe distance. The main cause was insufficient experience, lack of stable habits and skills of the bus driver for movement on the airfield.