AIRSIDE SAFETY INCIDENT - COLLISION BTN AN A/C & CATERING TRUCK INCIDENT.

The incident happened at Guadalajara International Airport, (GDL/MMGL), Mexico on 31/03/2023. After its arrival from Mexico City, VIVA AEROBUS Airbus A320-232 A/C (XA-VAP) was hit by a catering truck and suffered structural damages on the empennage.

This incident could have various approaches according to me:

1.It could be a matter of serious negligence from the truck driver on how to approach first; The security restricted area (SRA) around an aircraft and also the aircraft itself after being cleared through the SRA. Alternatively, the driver maybe was not trained sufficiently on how to safely handle, drive and service aircraft from the catering company involved

2.????? The truck could probably have been unserviceable at the time of the event and the brakes probably failed as the truck was approaching the aircraft.

3.????? The driver could have also experienced a health issue/condition, that is coma, attack, temporary loss of situational awareness, fatigue etc because from the speed the truck rams into the aircraft, a bit too high.

4.????? If the truck was not the one meant to service the aircraft after it arrived, then the airport makings as well as placement of safety cones around the aircraft should be a major issue. Airports ought to have markings showing where airside drivers should drive/pass through, which should be strictly adhered to. A parked aircraft also ought to be conned at all safety vulnerable points.

However, the airside safety team in this airport have a lot to do through the investigations, root cause analysis, findings, recommendations and reporting to other airports on that loophole to avoid it in future. This is a significant incident on the airside which can happen in any airport. I am looking forward towards the Final Report of this incident.

The value and essence of SMS implementation on the airside is because of such occurrences. From the deep down investigations, recommendations and reports of various incidences, we can continuously improve and build up on safety standards in the airside.