Dash 8-200
Maintenance Airframe; Maintenance Powerplant
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
I was in the aircraft and just had completed the start sequence. As the starter cut out and propeller started to accelerate; the Mechanic standing at the front of the aircraft got a concerned look on his face and took a few steps over to the right of the aircraft. That was the side I had just completed the engine start. I looked over and saw a van that had a logo and 'Cabin Cleaning Team' on the side. This van had entered the red restricted box and had stopped. It appeared that the driver saw the Mechanic step towards her area and she then continued through the restricted area and parked in front and off to the right of my aircraft. The driver got out of the van and gave us what appeared to me to be a 'yea so what' type of look and walked away. I continued my start of the other engine and when I contacted the Ramp Tower I informed him of what had just happened. When I talked to the Mechanic starting me; he told me that she just drove up stopped in the restricted area looked at him and then drove further forward past the restricted area. I am not sure if it is lack of training; in a hurry or just did not care but in the future this driver needs to pay attention to where she is driving and avoid the box if an aircraft is running or making a start attempt.
While a Maintenance Technician was starting an engine; a ground support vehicle drove through the restricted box in front of the aircraft.