What happened
On September 17, 2023, an Embraer ERJ-190-200 with registration N255GE was conducting a ferry flight from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi. The aircraft landed at JKIA under night conditions and taxied toward Apron 1 for refueling. Upon entering the apron, the crew encountered significant congestion with multiple parked aircraft on both sides of the taxi lane.
The pilot-in-command maintained a slow speed of approximately 2 knots to ensure safety while navigating the restricted visibility and limited wingtip clearance. The first officer monitored the right side for obstacles, as the right wingtip was not directly visible from the cockpit. A follow-me vehicle initially guided the aircraft but temporarily accelerated ahead, leaving the flight crew without continuous visual guidance. As the ERJ-190 approached parking bay H-5, its right winglet struck the left aileron of a stationary De Havilland Canada DHC Dash 8, registration 5Y-BXU. The collision caused minor damage to the ERJ-190's winglet and substantial structural damage to the Dash 8's left wingtip and aileron. No injuries were reported among the three crew members on board the ERJ-190.
The investigation
The AAID determined that the Dash 8 was parked in a non-designated area behind parking bay H, which is not intended for aircraft parking. This positioning encroached upon the taxiway clearance required for maneuvering aircraft. Additionally, the apron controller had instructed the Dash 8 to park in this location without ensuring it adhered to standard safety protocols for such areas.
The investigation highlighted that standard operating procedures at JKIA require wing walkers and continuous follow-me guidance when aircraft are parked in non-designated areas or when maneuvering in congested environments. In this incident, no wing walker was present to monitor wingtip clearance during the ERJ-190's approach. The absence of these safeguards, combined with reduced night-time visibility and the Dash 8's improper parking, created a hazardous situation.
Findings
The primary causal factor was the collision resulting from the Dash 8 being parked in a non-designated area that encroached on taxiway clearance. Contributing factors included:
- The Dash 8’s left wing obstructing the necessary lateral space for safe taxi operations.
- Reduced visual cues and depth perception due to night operations.
- Congested apron conditions with closely spaced aircraft stands.
- The temporary loss of follow-me vehicle guidance at a critical moment.
- The absence of wing walker assistance during the maneuver.
Safety action
The AAID issued three safety recommendations to the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA):
- Discontinue the use of non-designated aircraft parking areas and establish standardized parking stands in compliance with ICAO aerodrome design requirements.
- Ensure that aircraft operating in congested or restricted apron environments receive appropriate marshalling support, including follow-me vehicle guidance and wing walker assistance where necessary.
- Implement measures to reduce apron congestion and enhance safety through improved lighting, markings, and stand management procedures.