What happened
On November 21, 1998, at 16:35 local time, a DC-3C, registration HB-IS and B, arrived at Lugano-Agno Airport from Zurich following a VFR flight. The aircraft, operated by Classic Air AG, carried a crew of two and 27 passengers.
After landing on runway 19, the pilot taxied the aircraft via Taxiway Mike toward the parking area. A ground marshalling team, consisting of a lead marshaller and two assistants, was present to guide the aircraft into its stand. During the maneuvering process, the pilot lost visual contact with the lead marshaller. As the aircraft attempted a 180-degree turn to the left, the right wing passed approximately one meter above a fuel installation. While completing the turn toward the north, the aircraft's tail section struck the same fuel installation, resulting in damage to the right elevator.
The investigation
SUST examined the ground handling procedures and the physical constraints of the parking area. The investigation noted that while the Swiss AIP for Lugano-Agno specifies certain parking configurations, the DC-3C actually required parking position A, which has specific maneuvering limitations.
The investigation also reviewed the training and protocols of the ground personnel. It was established that marshalling assistants receive instruction only as part of their daily routine, with no specialized training courses or dedicated instructional materials provided. Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the airport's standing orders, which mandate that if the distance between an aircraft and an obstacle is less than one meter, the aircraft must stop immediately, and that only a single person in visual contact with all marshals should issue instructions.
Findings
- The parking area was insufficiently sized for an aircraft of the DC-3C's dimensions.
- There was a lack of specialized training and formal instructional resources for the ground marshalling staff.
- The aircraft was not immediately stopped when uncertainty arose between the pilots and the ground crew.