Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Commercial
Workload
Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Aircraft; Airport; Weather
Uneventful landing on ZZZ [Runway] XXR with high speed exit onto Taxiway K. Tower cleared to taxi short of Taxiway D to contact South Ramp. Ramp cleared us to the gate via Taxiway C. I stopped on [Taxiway] K prior to turning onto [Taxiway] C because a heavy was taxiing south on Taxiway J under Ground control; and I was not certain who was giving way. First Officer queried Ramp Control who told us we had right of way and to continue. [We] restarted taxi onto Taxiway C inbound to gate. [We] crossed Taxiway J onto ramp where there is a service road that crosses Taxiway C. [We] looked left through side window with rain drops on it and wipers engaged on windshields; [it was] dark with rain and mist conditions. [We] did not see a food services truck approaching from the left. [The] first siting of the truck was when it appeared in the taxi/recog lights; passing left to right in front of the airplane. [We] tried to brake; [but] could only stop to the extent that collision occurred with airplane nose to back side panel of truck with minimal forward speed. [We] set [the] parking brake; called Flight Attendant to inquire about passenger welfare while First Officer contacted Ramp Tower to report collision and request assistance. With no injuries on board; [we] made decision to have airplane towed to the gate with passengers remaining seated. While waiting for Ops tow; [we] contacted Dispatch to initiate the incident response. [We] coordinated and complied with on scene Airport Operations Reps. Passengers deplaned at the gate after an approximate twenty minute delay. [We] completed post event safety event conference call; statements; and drug and alcohol testing by company rep under the supervision of Assistant Chief Pilot [and then was] released from duty.
CRJ-200 During night operations with ground weather and rain; a service vehicle made contact with an aircraft that was taxiing on an active taxiway.