Large Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 135; Flight Crew Type 11550
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Airport; Human Factors
Pulling into BNA; the left winglet on my aircraft contacted the right winglet of the aircraft at the adjacent Gate. As we approached the Gate; I cleared the safety area and noted that there were aircraft at both adjacent gates and assumed wing tip clearance since both other aircraft were stationary; on their respective J-lines and at their respective gates. However; the aircraft to the left was actually 10-15 feet back from its gate. I presume they had started but stopped their push when they saw us coming. From my perspective this was not apparent to me and I proceeded to follow the Marshaler's directions to our Gate. The winglets of the aircraft contacted; scraping paint from each; but with no other apparent damage. I was unaware that there had been any contact at all until approximately 20 minutes later when one of the Rampers came to the cockpit to ask me if I was aware of what was happening. The Agent likewise was unaware of the situation and had almost completed boarding of the next flight before being made aware that the aircraft would be taken out of service.
We were assigned Gate Y at BNA. We were aware that no simultaneous pushback/taxi in of aircraft are allowed at the adjacent Gates due to converging safety zones. I would assume that the Nashville Operations is well aware of this limitation; since it is their airport of expertise. I noticed an aircraft parked at Gate X and also noticed a plane parked at Gate Z. I also noticed that the aircraft at Gate X appeared ready to push because jetway was pulled away and Ground Crew was on tug waiting for our arrival. The aircraft at Gate X was not moving. I also looked at the safety lines and noticed how the lines come to a 'V' with the line then extending into ramp area. I looked at the safety zone as we approached and verified that Gate X was not moving and that his wingtip appeared to be right at the corner of the 'V.' It did not appear to be any farther past the 'V.' I said to the Captain that they sure do make this tight coming into here. But I also trusted the lines and trust that we are clear as long as we stay on our J-line and the aircraft are not encroaching on ours. Our Marshaller continued to signal the come forward motion. Never did the Marshaller put up the STOP signal. We taxied into the gate and parked like normal. We were all boarded up for the next flight a few minutes before departure when a Maintenance person showed up in the cockpit; took our logbook; and stated; 'Well; you're going to be here a long while.' When we turned and asked why; he stated because you hit that airplane as you taxied into the gate. I immediately was worried about the other airplane since I thought it was getting ready to push. I asked where it was. He said; 'They pulled it back into gate.' I couldn't understand why it took 25 minutes for someone to tell us we hit someone. And that the other aircraft was not actually at the gate (since he had to be 'pulled' back in). Clearly no simultaneous push/taxi in is allowed and obviously Gate X had started their push. After looking at where the aircraft was now parked to where I believe it was when we 'hit' it; the aircraft had been pushed back about 10-15 feet from where it was parked with the jetway pulled up.Clearly these gates have a problem. I was unable to tell whether or not the aircraft at Gate X had been moved. All I could tell is that it was stopped and its wingtip appeared to be right at the intersection of the safety lines. While really close; I trusted the lines. Although I understand the Marshaller trying to save herself; her comments about 'I gave you the stop signal; yes I did; but you kept coming; so I just started marshalling you in anyway' are not professional and not in the interest of safety. If she did give the stop signal (and we didn't stop) then changing the signal to now come forward is not the correct response. We were notified by Operations that the Ramp people are not subject to drug/alcohol testing like we are. After this incident; the Captain and I had to submit to both of these tests.
The crews described the events leading to wingtip contact at adjacent gates while parking at BNA.