Commercial Fixed Wing
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Equipment / Tooling; Human Factors
While performing our preflight checks we heard the aircraft door close then felt the aircraft get bumped; as if by a bag loader or catering truck. We then saw the jetbridge moving in a forward direction past the left cockpit windows. The Captain motioned to the jetbridge driver to stop and not attempt to move the jetbridge. The jetbridge had struck the lower pitot tube on the left side of the nose. A few minutes later when they (gate agent under maintenance supervision) attempted to back the jetbridge away from the aircraft we heard a crunch and ripping of metal as the jetbridge nearly pulled the pitot tube off of the aircraft.
All was normal until just prior to push back. The final checklist was in progress when the Jetway bumped into left side of aircraft prior to push back and bent pitot tubes. The bump was hard enough to feel and I made a comment. The Captain then saw the jetway stopped with the aft edge pad even with the left aft cockpit window. The Jetway driver stopped and called for help. We entered a maintenance code into ACAR's and waited for Maintenance to appear. Jetway was stopped at Captain left window so the Captain opened the window to discuss the situation with mechanics on the jetway. They said the pitot tube was damaged and the aircraft was broken and inoperative. Another CS jetway driver attempted to move the jetway back and it caused further damage to the pitot tubes. It seemed the steering system of the jetway was not working properly. Later a third person was able to get it to move and reposition to the door for deplaning the passengers.
Widebody flight crew and the jetway operator involved describe a jetway contact with the aircraft that causes damage to the pitot tubes.