What happened
On November 6, 2010, at approximately 16:18 UTC, a Falcon 90 andEX, registration OE-IEX, was parked at stand 41 of Naples Capodichino Airport. The aircraft, operated by International Jet Management GmbH, was preparing for a scheduled flight to Nice. While the crew was performing routine pre-flight preparations, a Fiat Panda service vehicle, operated by a ground handling provider, was traveling toward the adjacent stand 42.
During this maneuver, the vehicle entered the area of stand 41 and struck the tip of the aircraft's right wing. The collision caused damage to the winglet and the wing extremity. The driver of the vehicle sustained facial trauma, including head injuries, and was transported to a hospital by ambulance.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the movement of the service vehicle and the airport's traffic regulations. Investigators determined that the vehicle did not follow the prescribed one-way traffic route intended for the stands between 41 and 46. Instead, the driver utilized a two-way path between stands 15 and 16, eventually crossing a taxiway to enter the restricted parking area of stand 41.
Analysis of the scene revealed no skid marks on the pavement, suggesting the driver made no attempt to brake before the impact. The investigation noted that the aircraft's electrical power had not yet been activated, leaving the airframe unlit. Furthermore, the incident occurred at twilight, which may have reduced visibility. The investigation also considered the possibility that the driver was distracted by ongoing ground operations at the neighboring stand 42.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was human error, specifically the driver's failure to adhere to established airport traffic regulations and the unauthorized transit through stand 41.
- The lack of daylight and the unlit state of the parked Falcon 900EX likely contributed to the driver's failure to perceive the aircraft as an obstacle.
- Potential distraction from simultaneous ground handling activities at an adjacent stand may have played a role.