Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related; Staffing
After landing and parking at the gate to deplane passengers; the Captain; Flight Mechanic; and myself (First Officer) passed through Customs and security back to the aircraft to reposition to the FBO on the north side of the field for overnight parking (as per ground handling sheets and itinerary.) Approaching the FBO on the taxi; a radio call was given so they would be ready to handle our arrival. This apparently was a surprise to the FBO as they did not know we were coming; and did not have the manpower to support our operation. After waiting for nearly an hour on the taxiway; we inquired with the FBO if would be okay to self park on their ramp. The FBO responded that that would be fine and to get as close as we felt comfortable. At that point; I started Number 2 engine upon the Captain's command. Only one engine was started to save fuel. The Captain taxied the aircraft to the north (left) side of the ramp to begin a turn to the right to do a 180 and park facing southwest. In about the first third of the turn it became apparent that the aircraft had contacted something. The Captain immediately shut the engine down and set the parking brake. At that point; we observed the left wingtip had come into contact with some parked; unmanned airstair trucks along the perimeter fence. Specifically; the wing struck the hand rails on the platform at the stop of the stair trucks. Unfortunately as we were turning right; from the right seat; I was unable to view the left wing clearance/obstructions; and just monitored the right side for wing clearance/obstructions. Workers from the FBO later showed up and moved some of the trucks out of the way and hooked up a towbar to push the aircraft back off the truck that the wingtip was currently in contact with. The primary reason the event occurred was an error in perception and lack of ground support to monitor wing clearances. Also; it would have been better to start the Number 1 engine as we were executing a turn to the right. Being empty without much weight on the nose wheel made a turn to the right more difficult than usual.
B737-800 First Officer reports the left wing coming into contact with airstairs during a right turn; night time; self parking maneuver.