What happened
On the morning of 12 February 2025, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19, registration ZS-CMK, was preparing for a scheduled international flight from O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR) to Victoria Falls Airport (FVFA) in Zimbabwe. The aircraft, operated under Part 121 regulations, was undergoing late-stage preparations at parking bay C16 following a delay caused by a radio defect.
As the flight crew initiated engine start-up procedures, several ground activities were occurring simultaneously, including passenger boarding and the conclusion of refueling. After the engines were started, the crew requested taxi clearance. During the movement, the aircraft's right wing struck a fuel bowser that was still positioned near the bay. The collision resulted in substantial damage to the outer leading edge of the aircraft's right wing and damage to the bowser's refueling rig and control panel. No injuries were reported to the 32 passengers or the crew.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the sequence of events using CCTV footage and interviews with the flight crew and ground personnel. The investigation established that the aircraft moved forward without receiving a final "all clear" signal from the ramp agent. The ramp agent was reportedly focused on the refueling bowser's stabilizers and was in the process of communicating with the refueling agent when the aircraft advanced.
Investigators also reviewed the cockpit environment, noting that while the first officer was scanning for traffic, his visual sweep was limited to the right side and did not extend far enough to detect the stationary bowser. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (S/OPs) regarding the removal of the bonding cable and the timing of the aircraft's movement.
Findings
- Operational pressure caused by earlier delays led to a compressed pre-flight window, forcing refueling, boarding, and cockpit setup to occur at the same time.
- The captain deviated from refueling SOPs by requesting the removal of the bonding cable before the bowser's stabilizers were fully retracted and the vehicle had cleared the area.
- There was a breakdown in communication; the ramp agent did not issue a final clearance signal, and the flight crew proceeded under the assumption that the area was clear.
- The first officer's peripheral scan was insufficient to identify the obstacle on the aircraft's right side.
- The aircraft moved forward before the ground personnel had confirmed the area was unobstructed.