What happened
On the morning of 10 March 2023, a Beechcraft 1900D, registration ZS-PKB, was involved in a serious incident while taxiing at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The aircraft, operated by CemAir, was preparing for a scheduled commercial flight to Margate Airport.
Following a 35-minute delay caused by refueling issues, the aircraft was pushed back from parking bay C19 to taxiway India. After the towbar was disconnected and reattached to the tug, the flight crew received taxi clearance from Air Traffic Control. While the pilot flying confirmed the left side of the aircraft was clear, the aircraft subsequently struck a stationary tug positioned in front of the right wing. The impact caused minor damage to the right leading-edge tip and the underside of the wing. No injuries were reported among the two pilots or the nineteen passengers on board.
The investigation
An investigation by the SACAA AIID established that the aircraft moved into the tug because the pilots failed to verify that the area in front of the aircraft was clear before initiating taxi. The investigation noted that the flight crew was attempting to recover time lost during the earlier refueling delay.
Investigators also found that the ramp controller had neglected essential duties during the towbar disconnection process, specifically failing to ensure the area was unobstructed and failing to signal the crew that it was safe to proceed. Furthermore, the investigation highlighted a lack of communication between the ramp controller, the tug driver, and the flight crew.
Findings
- The flight crew was new to the company and lacked familiarity with the O.R. Tambo airport layout and specific company towing procedures.
- The pilot flying had relatively low experience on this specific aircraft type.
- The ramp controller and tug driver were not trained in the use of marshalling hand signals.
- The aircraft taxied into a stationary tug due to minimal clearance.
- The ramp controller left the aircraft unattended during the disconnection process without ensuring the area was clear.