Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 19 March 2000
Aircraft Type: Airbus A320-211
Owner/operator: TAP Air Portugal
Registration Number: CS-TNG
Location: Stand F8, Terminal 2, London Heathrow Airport –
ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Standing
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Component Affected: Right wing tip fenceRight wing tip fence
Investigating Agency: AAIBAAIB
Category: Accident
An aircraft box van struck the right wing tip fence due to driver disorientation caused by reflected sunlight from the terminal building windows.An aircraft box van struck the right wing tip fence due to driver disorientation caused by reflected sunlight from the terminal building windows.
Description
The aircraft had just arrived on Stand F8. The driver of a box van was trying to manoeuvre his vehicle along the interstandclearway, which was congested with other vehicles. The driver indicated that he was momentarily dazzled by a reflection of the sun from the windows of the terminal building, as he drove onto the stand area and the top left corner ofthe van struck the right wing tip fence from behind. Damages: Right wing tip fence damaged.
Source of Information
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422f036e5274a13140002cf/dft_avsafety_pdf_501640.pdf, https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A320/945/CS-TNG-TAP-Air-Portugal, http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a320-945.htm, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ACS-TNG_A320_TAP_(7496783628).jpghttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422f036e5274a13140002cf/dft_avsafety_pdf_501640.pdf, https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Airbus/A320/945/CS-TNG-TAP-Air-Portugal, http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a320-945.htm, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ACS-TNG_A320_TAP_(7496783628).jpgPrimary Cause
Driver disorientation due to reflected sunlight from the terminal building windows.Driver disorientation due to reflected sunlight from the terminal building windows.Share on:
