N484CA

On May 7, 2003, at 1215 eastern daylight time, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19, N484CA, operated by Comair Inc., as flight 5347, was substantially damaged when a baggage belt-loader collided with it, while parked at the General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. There were no injuries to the 3-person crew, or the operator of the belt-loader. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight, between the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington, DC, and Boston. The scheduled passenger flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 121.

The airplane was chocked, the seat belt sign had been turned off, and the passengers were disembarking.

The operator of the belt-loader stated that when he initially approached the airplane with the belt-loader, he tested the brakes and they operated normally. When the belt-loader was about 3-4 feet from the airplane, he again applied the brakes; however, they were either jammed or stuck. He switched the transmission into neutral, but the belt-loader continued to roll forward, until it struck the fuselage of the airplane. The belt-loader operator further stated that he did not think to use the emergency brake.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the loader had punctured the fuselage about 2 feet below the cargo door threshold, creating a 15-inch by 9-inch hole. Additionally, two stringers were damaged.

Post-accident examination of the belt-loader revealed no mechanical discrepancies.