ATR-42 air carrier crew reported aircraft damage when parking contacting an improperly parked ground vehicle while being marshaled into the gate.
Synopsis
ATR-42 air carrier crew reported aircraft damage when parking contacting an improperly parked ground vehicle while being marshaled into the gate.
Narrative
While taxiing in to parking in clear weather; we were being marshaled in to spot X (it's a new spot and I haven't parked there before; the spot on the new area of the ramp) and struck ground equipment that was improperly parked; about 4 feet past the painted lines marking the safe area for the wings. It was a truck with a lift and rails over the cab. We damaged a small triangular portion of the de-icing boot on the leading edge of the outboard right wing tip near the fairing. I later realized that we did not have wing walkers in accordance with our manual XXX X.XX.XX. Two planes were coming in at the same time as the last arrivals of the evening and we may have had insufficient personnel for ground crew to handle the near simultaneous arrivals. The guy marshaling us was waving us in; we were on centerline; but then he suddenly made an X then we stopped; but a fraction of a second too late.Cause: The absence of wing walkers during taxi in a new area of the ramp; improperly positioned ground equipment; and the operational complexity of simultaneous arrivals. During the parking; the captain could not see the ground equipment; and the flight crew was distracted by bringing to feather for shutdown. We had left the engine running due to the check which we'd completed moments before.Suggestions: Ensuring that wing walkers were present as required; and that ground equipment is properly positioned safely away from the sterile area marked on the ramp. A contributing factor is that this is a new area of the ramp; still under construction; which the crews are unfamiliar with.
Second reporter narrative
During parking in clear ramp weather of Aircraft X in spot X at ZZZ the right wing tip struck and settled on a truck. The truck was incorrectly parked inside the cones of the parking spot. We were being marshalled in to the parking spot while the marshal was signaling 'move aircraft straight ahead'. Suddenly the marshal signaled 'stop aircraft'. The captain stopped the aircraft immediately; but it was too late; the wing tip had already struck the truck. As we were taxiing into the parking spot; we brought engine 1 condition lever to feather and I was monitoring the systems.Cause: The incorrect parking of airport service vehicles inside designated aircraft parking spots. The absence of wing walkers during parking; the simultaneous arrival of two company aircraft; insufficient personnel numbers to handle simultaneous arrivals. The check had just been completed prior to taxi-in; so engine 1 was brought to feature as parking was in action. This led the FO to be distracted by the feathering operation during parking. The parking area is new and currently within the immediate vicinity of a construction zone. The event occurred at night increasing the effects of all contributing factors. Suggestions: Adequate personnel to accommodate the simultaneous arrival of multiple company aircraft. Clearly marked parking areas for the aircraft during this time of ramp construction. Communication and compliance between airport personnel of various departments and companies regarding proper placement of vehicles and equipment. Increased vigilance by all parties in regards to taxiing and parking in construction areas.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.