Incident Overview

Date: Monday 24 November 2014
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-883
Owner/operator: Scandinavian Airlines System – SAS
Registration Number: LN-RRS
Location: Stavanger-Sola Airport (SVG) – ÿ Norway
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 115
Component Affected: Aircraft Wing Tip and Outer Part of the Aircraft FuselageAircraft Wing Tip and Outer Part of the Aircraft Fuselage
Investigating Agency: AIBNAIBN
Category: Accident
On July 26, 2023, a SAS flight 4009, a Boeing 737-800, landed at Stavanger Airport, Norway, and was cleared by ground air traffic control to taxi towards the terminal via taxiway P. Following a brief delay, a SAS de-icing truck, driven by a driver, crossed the red safety line and moved onto taxiway P without requesting compulsory clearance. Subsequently, the driver notified the ground control of his intention to cross taxiway L and then to the terminal, requesting clearance. The ground control subsequently requested that he maintain clear, but after a SAS aircraft had passed, the driver was cleared to proceed towards the terminal. Approximately 30 seconds later, the driver inadvertently crossed the taxiway, colliding with a de-icing truck. The collision resulted in significant damage to the aircraft’s wing tip and outer part of the aircraft’s fuselage. The crew immediately reported the collision to ground control, and the commander initiated taxiing towards the terminal. The ground controller, upon receiving the report, assessed the situation and continued taxiing, ultimately allowing the aircraft to proceed to its destination. Investigation revealed insufficient control measures by Airnorth, leading to inadequate traffic regulation compliance, a lack of proper clearance procedures, and a failure to adequately address the driver’s actions, ultimately contributing to the accident.On July 26, 2023, a SAS flight 4009, a Boeing 737-800, landed at Stavanger Airport, Norway, and was cleared by ground air traffic control to taxi towards the terminal via taxiway P. Following a brief delay, a SAS de-icing truck, driven by a driver, crossed the red safety line and moved onto taxiway P without requesting compulsory clearance. Subsequently, the driver notified the ground control of his intention to cross taxiway L and then to the terminal, requesting clearance. The ground control subsequently requested that he maintain clear, but after a SAS aircraft had passed, the driver was cleared to proceed towards the terminal. Approximately 30 seconds later, the driver inadvertently crossed the taxiway, colliding with a de-icing truck. The collision resulted in significant damage to the aircraft’s wing tip and outer part of the aircraft’s fuselage. The crew immediately reported the collision to ground control, and the commander initiated taxiing towards the terminal. The ground controller, upon receiving the report, assessed the situation and continued taxiing, ultimately allowing the aircraft to proceed to its destination. Investigation revealed insufficient control measures by Airnorth, leading to inadequate traffic regulation compliance, a lack of proper clearance procedures, and a failure to adequately address the driver’s actions, ultimately contributing to the accident.

Description

SAS flight 4009, a Boeing 737-800, had landed at Stavanger Airport, Norway and was cleared by the ground air traffic controller to taxi towards the terminal via taxiway P. Half a minute after the clearance was given, a driver started to move a SAS de-icing truck from the de-icing apron, crossed the red safety line and moved onto taxiway P without requesting compulsory clearance. Another half a minute later, the driver called the ground air traffic controller and informed that he was at the de-icing stand and requested clearance for crossing taxiway L and then further to the terminal. The ground air traffic controller asked him to keep clear, but after a SAS-aircraft had passed, he was cleared to drive towards the terminal. When the flight 4009 approached taxiway P, both pilots saw a de-icing truck standing out on the left hand side and just outside the double yellow taxiway edge line. The commander commented to his first officer that the truck stood close, but ‘at least outside’. The commander considered that the truck was at safe distance, but chose to turn the aircraft a couple of meters to the right side of the center line on the taxiway to be extra safe. Shortly after the aircraft collided with the truck. There were no injuries, but the de-icing truck and the 1.6 meters outer part of the aircraft wing tip was severely damaged. After the collision, the crew informed the ground air traffic controller that the aircraft had hit the deicing truck. No immediate crash alarm was activated and the commander continued to taxi towards the terminal. CONCLUSION (translated from Norwegian): Significant investigation results with significance for aviation safety: a) Avinor had insufficient controls to ensure that traffic regulations were complied with. Inappropriate practices were not detected or corrected. This contributed to the accident. b) The driver of deicing vehicle crossed the red safety line into the maneuvering area without obtaining clearance from the air traffic controller. This meant that the vehicle came into conflict with LN-RRS. The crossing of the security line was part of an unfortunate practice that had taken place over time, and also in violation of traffic regulations. c) The driver of the deicing vehicle did not specify that he had run out on taxiway “P” when he called the tower and requested clearance to cross taxiway “L”. The ATCO assumed that the vehicle was parked behind the security line. This contributed to an air traffic controller not detecting the conflict between the deicing vehicle and the SAS aircraft. d) The commander of LN-RRS assumed incorrectly that it was a safe distance when the vehicle was parked on the edge of taxiway “P”. The first officer dit not challenge the commander’s decision to continue taxiing past the deicing vehicle. e) LN-RRS was not equipped with a wingtip camera that could have been an anti-collision aid to avoid collision on the ground. Such a system is not statutory but NTSB and AAIU has promoted safety recommendations in this area.

Primary Cause

Insufficient control measures and inadequate traffic regulation compliance by Airnorth, leading to a failure to ensure proper clearance and adherence to traffic regulations.Insufficient control measures and inadequate traffic regulation compliance by Airnorth, leading to a failure to ensure proper clearance and adherence to traffic regulations.

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