Other / Unknown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
I was the only company employee involved who witnessed the fueling truck impact the belt loader and the engine cowling. There were four other co-workers assigned to the crew that I was on. However; none of them were in the vicinity of the incident. I was in the front pit of the Embraer 170. I was sitting in the doorway of the pit and heard a loud metallic crunch (similar to a crushing pop can); which upon that loud sound the belt loader started moving as it was impacted by the fuel truck on it's left rear quarter. At this point; I noticed the shape of the fuel truck infringing on the right engine of the aircraft and as I reacted I leaned more to the left and witnessed the truck impact the engine cowling with the black bumper of the truck. I was unsure if the truck was actually stopping at this point; as I couldn't tell if it was acting on its own drive; or if it was being pushed by another (possibly larger) vehicle; or if it was moving without an operator for some reason. The truck eventually came to a stop and I noticed that there was an operator in the vehicle. He appeared to be jockeying with something by his right knee. A couple seconds passed; I had crawled to the doorway of the pit; and he immediately began to back his truck up and position it a few feet away from the engine. I immediately crawled out and alerted my Lead who was approaching the front of the aircraft from the direction of the jetway stairs. Management was then notified and Operations called the authorities. Two supervisors; showed up shortly and began investigating and taking pictures; and I was asked if I witnessed it and what had happened. The police arrived and investigated; questioned the driver. I was never questioned by the police or asked to give a statement. Various other departments arrived on scene to assist and conduct investigations. I was not asked if I was alright; no one asked if anyone was hurt; there were no inquiries into the well being of the employees. I had to work a flight shortly after. While working the next two flights I realized that I was crashing from an adrenaline spike and felt unsettled. I was not asked by management to compose a statement until I notified them of my discomfort. As the afternoon progressed; I noticed that I was experiencing soreness and a slight headache. I thought it best that I visit a medical professional as a precautionary measure.
Ramp employee reports witnessing a fuel truck back into the number two engine of the EMB170 he is sitting in.