September-October 2022 - 12

COVER STORY
In these photos are various examples of ground damaged aircraft, showcasing damage from
bent and scraped wings. In the above example is a completely destroyed nose.
PHOTOS BY NATA
occurred while the aircraft was on the
ground, said Brandon Popovich, manager
of safety and training, NATA (National Air
Transportation Association).
" This term covers a vast range of areas
on the airfield as well as several different
scenarios. Some of the most common areas
on the airfield where ground damage takes
place is on the ramp or apron. Aircraft can
taxi into another aircraft, into GSE, or into
a structure. Other areas of ground damage
can occur while the aircraft is parked
and being serviced with GSE to include
fuel trucks, tugs, golf carts, GPUs, lavatory
carts, potable water carts, O2 racks,
people, etc. The most common amongst
aircraft service providers is aircraft damage
occurring during the tow operation.
Whether on the ramp apron or during hangar
movements, towing is the most common
area for damage to occur, " he said.
He continued that ground damage is
defined as any deformity of the aircraft
structure, make-up, build or components.
The deformity may be caused by the aircraft
striking another aircraft or structure,
movable or stationary, while under
its own power or an aircraft being struck
by a moveable object, whether human
powered or not.
" Ground damage, as the term is used
today, may not include damage caused by
12 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
normal forces applied to the aircraft either
during flight or while under its own power
during taxi, " Popovich said noting that
includes flat tires, tire damage occurring
during taxi, damage caused by inclement
weather, or damage caused by wildlife,
whether during flight or stationary.
The Causes
Often times, the cause of ground damage,
no matter the source, comes down
to simple human error.
" I have found that haste, inattention and
inadequate training are some of the leading
causes of ground damage. The ramp is
a dynamic and challenging environment.
Factors include staffing, staffing talent,
GSE capabilities, traffic, congestion, ramp
design, weather, among other physical hurdles.
Emotional stress is an additional factor.
Emotional stress can be exacerbated
by personal well-being, employer culture,
service pressure, decision-making awareness, "
Popovich described.
Mann agreed, adding that in his personal
experience it comes down to people
simply not paying attention to what they're
doing and their surroundings.
" It's really a matter of individuals paying
attention to what they're doing and
everybody doing their part and not getting
distracted by either things that are
going on at home or things that are going
on their phone. There's so much social
media and everything. People are looking
at their phones and not what they should
be looking at, " he said.
Mann estimates that 50 percent of the
time when they see ground damage, it's a
result of somebody not paying attention,
with the other 50 percent being caused
by someone rushing a job, trying to cut
corners.
Yeomans said that from the limited data
they have collected over the past six years,
they see:
* Aircraft coming into contact with
GSE/ground vehicles accounts for
26% of damage
* Aircraft towing/pushback is a factor
in 25% of the incidents
* Aircraft coming into contact with
other aircraft accounts for 10%
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
September-October 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September-October 2022
