A319 FLT CREW REPORTS BEING STRUCK BY DRIVER-LESS VAN SHORTLY AFTER PUSH BACK AND PRIOR TO TAXI.

Narrative

AFTER PUSHBACK FROM THE GATE; WHILE STARTING ENGS; PRIOR TO MOVEMENT UNDER OWN PWR; WE NOTICED A VAN MOVING BACKWARDS FROM ANOTHER GATE. AFTER A SHORT TIME; WE NOTICED A PERSON ON THE RAMP CHASING AFTER THE VAN. IT THEN BECAME APPARENT THAT THE VAN WAS UNOCCUPIED (COULDN'T SEE DRIVER'S SIDE OR THE VAN); AND WAS GOING TO STRIKE OUR ACFT. WE IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN ENGS (PRIOR TO IMPACT). VAN IMPACTED ACFT JUST FORWARD OF L ENG; AT APPROX 5-10 MPH. TUG DRIVER CAME BACK OUT AND PLUGGED IN; AND I INQUIRED IF WE HAD ANY APPARENT LEAKS (OF FUEL); WITH NONE BEING OBSERVED. CALLED DISPATCH TO SEE IF WE NEEDED TO LEAVE ACFT AND VAN UNTOUCHED UNTIL INVESTIGATION COMPLETE; OR IF MAINT COULD REMOVE VAN. DISPATCH SAID LET MAINT TAKE CHARGE OF SITUATION. MAINT AND OTHER SUPVRS THEN ARRIVED TO TAKE CHARGE OF SITUATION. VAN WAS REMOVED FROM UNDER ACFT AND ACFT TOWED BACK TO THE GATE; WHERE PAX WERE DEPLANED. DEBRIEFED WITH SUPVRS AND CHIEF PLT. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO: REPORTER COULD SUPPLY NO INFORMATION BEYOND THAT GIVEN IN THE REPORT EXCEPT THAT THE ACFT WAS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE.