Air carrier ground personnel reported losing control of tractor and damaging an airplane at next gate. Ground personnel moved tractor from beneath aircraft.

Date: 2026-01 · Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing · Phase: ground

Anomalies: ground-event-encounter-ground-equipment-issue|ground-event-encounter-weather-turbulence

Synopsis

Air carrier ground personnel reported losing control of tractor and damaging an airplane at next gate. Ground personnel moved tractor from beneath aircraft.

Narrative

I was assigned to work an arrival at Gate XX and once I arrived the 'Assigned Gate Lead' told me to 'run the city bags' which were in the back 'pit' of the plane. I located the Gate XX 'Gate Tractor' near the front area of the gate and I got in the tractor and attempted to drive to the back area of the plane to retrieve the 'city bags'. When I put the tractor in drive it would not go forward immediately; but then seconds later the tractor jerked forward rapidly in the direction of the parked plane at Gate XY. I tried to correct the steering to avoid the plane but the tractor was too quick and the tractor went under the wing area of the Gate XY plane damaging the underside area of the plane. The mirror and windshield of the tractor broke and glass fell inside the tractor on me. I was confused and shocked at what just happened so out of concern for the tractors contact and damage under the wing area near the fuselage and my fear of the unknown threat potential to myself or others; I moved the tractor. All the SOP producals were performed....... this is the second accident/incident that has occurred involving employees working assignments at Gates XY and XX within the past 4-6 weeks. I feel these 2 gates and their proximity to each other are accidents waiting to happen. What measures or steps are being made by the FAA; The City of ZZZ Airport or whoever handles such issues to prevent any future accidents and employees from potential danger or harm?Very cold below 0 temps with ice and snow on ground; Congested and crowded work area at XX gate; Proximity of Gates XY and XX are not conducive or safe for multiple reasons.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.