AN ACR MLG HIT A BAGGAGE CART WHILE TAXIING INTO THE GATE.

Narrative

AT THE END OF FLT FROM NEWARK; NJ; ACFT CONTACTED 2 BAGGAGE CARTS WHILE BEING MARSHALLED INTO GATE X AT ST LOUIS; MO. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED APPROX 2 FT PRIOR TO THE PLANNED FINAL PARKING SPOT AT THE GATE. AS THE FO; I CLRED THE R SIDE AND NOTED THE ACFT WAS PROPERLY ALIGNED FOR TAXI INTO GATE X. JUST PRIOR TO STOPPING I FELT A SLIGHT DRAGGING SENSATION; WHICH AT THE TIME I THOUGHT WAS A BRAKE/TIRE DRAGGING. (THIS WAS MY ANSWER TO THE CAPT'S QUERY 'DID YOU FEEL THAT?'). AS I ANSWERED THE CAPT; I NOTED THE MARSHALLER HAD STILL NOT GIVEN THE ACFT STOP SIGNAL (CROSSED WANDS). THE ACFT WAS SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND THE DAMAGE ASSESSED. THE LIGHTING WAS ADEQUATE; AND TAXI SPD WAS NORMAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. SUPPLEMENTAL INFO 223572. THE #1 ENG HAD IMPACTED WITH 2 BAGGAGE CARTS PLACED BEHIND THE ACFT SAFE PAINTED LINES. I SPOKE WITH CTL MAINT AT THE ACFT AND COMPANY MAINT BY PHONE REGARDING THE TAXI INCIDENT. CONTRACT MAINT INSPECTED THE DAMAGE AND PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN. I LEFT THE ACFT AND LOGBOOK TO CTL MAINT FOR THE NECESSARY CORRECTIVE ACTION. I DID NOT ENTER A WRITE UP IN THE ACFT LOGBOOK MYSELF.