ANC03LA043

The captain was taxiing the airplane to the gate area at the conclusion of a scheduled domestic passenger flight. The airplane was being marshaled into a parking spot by a single ground guide utilizing hand signals. No other airplanes were parked nearby, and wing-walkers were not utilized. As the airplane was being positioned by the ground guide, the underside of the left wing struck the top of a parked fleet service van. Inspection of the left wing revealed that the outboard flap hinge assembly was displaced upward requiring replacement of the outboard rib, the outboard flap hanger assembly, and wrinkled upper wing skin near the wingtip. The director of safety for the operator reported that a wing walker was not available or used as required by company policy when aircraft are operated near obstacles.

On April 10, 2003, about 0935 Alaska daylight time, a de Havilland DHC-6 airplane, N886EA, sustained substantial damage when the left wing struck a parked service van as the airplane was taxiing to Gate L-2 at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) scheduled domestic passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 121, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated as Flight 829, by ERA Aviation Inc., Anchorage. The captain and first officer, and the 17 passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Kenai Municipal Airport, Kenai, Alaska, about 0855.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 10, the operator's director of safety reported that the airplane was taxiing to the gate area after landing. The airplane was being marshaled into a parking spot at Gate L-2 by a single ground guide utilizing hand signals. The director of safety reported that no other airplanes were parked nearby, and wing-walkers were not utilized. As the airplane was being positioned by the ground guide, the underside of the left wing struck the top of a parked fleet service van. Inspection of the wing revealed that the outboard flap hinge assembly was displaced upward.

In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the operator, in the optional Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation section of the report, the director of safety noted: "Wing walker was not available or used as required by company policy. Marshaller was available and used, but was standing at the parking spot. Use wing walkers anytime an aircraft is within 20 feet of an obstacle."

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC on April 18, the operator's director of quality control reported that the repair to the left wing required replacement of the outboard rib, the outboard flap hanger assembly, and replacement of wrinkled upper wing skin near the wingtip.