Date: 201404
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: MD-83
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight phase: Taxi
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Other / Unknown
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Detector: Person Ground Personnel; Person Flight Crew
When detected: Taxi
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Company Policy; Procedure
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: We were taxiing into the gate and were basically on an extended center line as we approached the sterile area and noticed the access road on the left with the catering truck parked in the center of the road outside of our red line and sterile area. We both commented on the closeness of the access road and that the truck was safely on the other side of the red line. I was diverting my attention to the docking system as the catering truck disappeared from my view to the left; still across [behind] the red line. As we were continuing slowly inbound on center line; according to the DGS; I noticed some commotion below and to my left of the DGS [Visual Docking Guidance System]. I looked down and saw a ramp person running out and giving me the stop signal. I immediately applied brakes and almost simultaneously felt the impact with the catering truck. I stopped the aircraft completely and set the parking brake and told the passengers to remain seated. The catering truck proceeded forward away from the impact site and the ramp personnel gave me the OK to continue our taxi. I then proceeded to park via the DGS. The brakes were parked at the gate and a call to maintenance was given with an appropriate Logbook write-up after the check list. Don't rely on automation and the trust of humans always doing the safe and correct thing. Marshallers at critical gates could have prevented this incident and prevent future incidents.


Second narrative: As we turned into the lead line; we saw on our left; at the airplane's 10 position; a catering truck. He was parallel to our aircraft; was stopped; and his position was outside the red line; outside of our gate's sterile/clear area. The Captain and I both confirmed that he was on the other side of the red line; again reassuring ourselves that he was clear of our sterile area. With that in mind; we continued the inbound taxi. Following the DGS commands; we passed the truck; continuing to the gate. Approximately 50 to 75 feet from the gate; we felt a thud/tug on the left side of the plane; but we were not sure what it was. We stopped. By this time; ground personnel had come out; giving us a stop signal. They were pointing to the left side of the plane. We did have contact with the truck. Once the truck was moved; parked the airplane and called MX. How we had contact with him; I don't know. As we passed and then lost sight of him; the truck was outside of the sterile area. I felt we were on our centerline; safely inside our area; not an issue. If I had had any doubts; I would have said so and suggested we get marshalers. I'm not sure how this contact occurred. But I do feel confident in saying if we had physical marshalers out there; guiding the aircraft; incidents like this would not happen. I would much rather have three physical human beings bringing us in rather than the electronic DGS.


Synopsis: Air Carrier flight crew reports contact with a catering truck by the left wing during parking using an automatic parking guidance system. The catering truck had been noticed to be parked clear of the safety zone as the aircraft passed but the wing did not clear the truck.