Airbus A380, VH-OQD, 14 January 2012
Airbus A380, VH-OQD
Summary:
The aircraft was being prepared for departure from Stand 301 at London Heathrow Airport鈥檚 Terminal 3. Weather conditions were dry and clear. A baggage tug, towing baggage containers loaded onto four purpose built trailers, approached the aircraft鈥檚 front hold. As it did so, a partly loaded container on the third trolley made contact with the aircraft鈥檚 number three engine cowling, penetrating the cowling and also damaging the container.
The ground handling company conducted an investigation. No technical deficiencies were found with the baggage tug, the trailer or the container itself. The investigation determined that the accident arose because the vehicle driver had not followed existing procedures regarding the approach route to the aircraft鈥檚 forward baggage hold door. No changes to procedures were deemed necessary, but steps were taken to remind ramp staff of the required procedures and to ensure these were being followed through a system of ramp checks.
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