What happened
On 31 March 1998, at approximately 15:39 UTC, an MD-83, registration HB-INW, was parked at Stand F8 within London Heathrow Airport. The aircraft was positioned correctly on the stand's centerline and was occupied only by the crew at the time of the incident. While the aircraft was stationary, a bus was performing maneuvers on the right side of the plane. During this movement, the bus struck the right wing tip of the aircraft, resulting in substantial damage to the structure.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the circumstances surrounding the ground movement and consulted with both the police and the bus operating company. The inquiry established that the bus driver had deviated from their permitted route, driving outside the area specifically designated for their operations. Following the collision, the operating company conducted internal proceedings, and the driver was subject to disciplinary action.