On 21st November, 2021 at about 15:35 h, a lavatory service truck with fleet number 9/5 operated by Skyway Aviation Handling Co. PLC (SAHCO), had a ground collision with a parked Boeing 737-300 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-DAB, operated by Max Air Limited; at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA).
5N-DAB was scheduled to operate eight sectors for the day. After the third sector, 5N-DAB was parked at stand D8. While Boarding for the fourth sector (Abuja to Maiduguri), the Pilot requested ground service (lavatory service) for the aircraft.
According to the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) driver, he was providing conveyor belt service to another aircraft when he was called upon to service the Max Air aircraft. After positioning the truck with the aid of another SAHCO GSE marshaller, it was put on chocks. Afterwards, the driver realized that his hands could not reach the aircraft lavatory drain valve. The GSE driver requested the GSE marshaller to guide him to reposition the truck closer to the aircraft. The GSE driver further stated that in an attempt to reposition the truck, by reversing he pressed the throttle pedal instead of the brake pedal, and the truck impacted the tail section of the aircraft.
According to the GSE marshaller after removing the chocks placed behind the tyre of the bowser, the lavatory bowser abruptly moved, impacted the aircraft, passed underneath the aircraft and continued moving until it finally stopped by the Skycare Catering Service truck which was servicing the same aircraft.
