While being marshalled in; an A320 parking at a gate recently reconfigured for aircraft other than Regional Jets strikes a portable fuel pump.
Synopsis
While being marshalled in; an A320 parking at a gate recently reconfigured for aircraft other than Regional Jets strikes a portable fuel pump.
Narrative
Stopped 90 degrees to the lead in line awaiting ground personnel. Marshaler arrived and directed us to proceed on into the gate. As we made the turn neither the First Officer or I noticed any ground equipment outside of its ground safety designated area. I visually lined up with the centerline and then directed my attention to the Marshaller. We slowly proceeded until directed to stop by the Marshaller. We stopped and set the brakes; but were then directed by the Marshaller to come further forward. I released the brakes and followed the Marshaller's direction to proceed forward for about another five feet. Once again we were directed to stop. I did so and once again set the brakes. I now noticed the Jetway Driver trying to get the Marshallers attention. It appeared as though he was saying we were still short of the A320 spot. The Jetway Driver proceeded down the jetway to talk to the Marshaller. We awaited further instruction. Soon someone came on the intercom to inform us that we had impacted a piece of refueling equipment with the right engine. We shut the engines down at that time. Ground personnel informed us that they were going to push us back; remove the refueling equipment and then pull us forward in order to get the jetway up. All this was done and the passengers were then deplaned with no further incident. I inspected the damage to the right engine and found three minor scratches to the leading edge of the engine nacelle. All ground equipment was stored inside its designated; painted safety area. The aircraft was on centerline. The Marshaller's instructions were followed explicitly throughout the parking procedure.
Second reporter narrative
This gate was new for our A320s as they had been assigned to our regional jet partners in the past. This was one of the first nights we parked one of these aircraft in one of these gates for quite some time ... We were notified by the ground crew that we had hit a portable fuel pump with the #2 engine ... Evidently the gate was not configured as it should have been to accept our A320; the portable fuel pump was where it typically is for the RJ operation.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.