Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 125; Flight Crew Total 10840; Flight Crew Type 6000
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Procedure
At approximately XA30 the Captain started both engines and gave signals to ground crew to disconnect ground power and clear the aircraft. The Captain called for the after start checklist. The First Officer read each item on the checklist and heard the correct response from the Captain for each item. On the checklist item 'Ground Equipment' the First Officer looked out the window and did not see the Ground Power Unit and tug or the ground crew members near the aircraft and announced 'clear right'. The Captain verified the call by challenging 'Ground Power clear?'. The First Officer responded 'yes; Ground Power is clear'. The First Officer then received the taxi clearance; read it to the Captain and the Captain acknowledged the clearance; completing the after start checklist. The Captain flashed the taxi lights to the ground crew signaling the aircraft was ready to taxi; the ground crew did not immediately respond. The Captain flashed the taxi lights a second time. The ground crew held light wands in a position that indicated the aircraft could taxi forward and the Captain advanced the propeller levers to begin taxiing forward. Within a few seconds; a collision between the ground power unit and the aircraft occurred. The ground crew gave signals with light wands to the pilots to stop taxiing. The Captain stopped the aircraft and shut down both engines.
A cargo flight Pilot reported the aircraft struck the Ground Power Unit when they began to taxi from parking. The reporter stated the First Officer and Ramp personnel reported the aircraft was clear of obstructions.