Primary finding
Probable cause
The fuel truck driver's inattention, which resulted in backing over a warning cone and into the horizontal stabilizer of the airplane.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The airplane was standing at the terminal while cargo was being loaded and the co-pilot was onboard preparing for flight. The captain, outside the airplane, directed the fuel truck driver to drive around to the right side of the airplane and prepare to fuel the airplane. The captain had intended to direct the truck after preparing the fuel service panel, but turned around to see the truck back over an orange marker cone and into the airplane's horizontal stabilizer. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator.
Source record
Factual narrative
The airplane was standing at the terminal while cargo was being loaded and the co-pilot was onboard preparing for flight. the Captain, outside the airplane, directed the fuel truck driver to drive around to the right side of the airplane and prepare to fuel the airplane. The captain had intended to direct the truck after preparing the fuel service panel, but turned around to see the truck back over an orange marker cone and into the airplane's horizontal stabilizer. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator.