Date: 201601
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: BOS.Airport, MA
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: B737-800
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Other / Unknown
Second reporter function: Captain
Anomaly: Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Detector: Person Ground Personnel
When detected: Routine Inspection
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Airport; Company Policy; Human Factors
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: Taxied to Gate in BOS. Made left turn into gate. Captain examined safety zone and announced that it was clear. There was a Marshaller at the nose and none on aircraft right wing. I could not see if there was a Wing Walker on the aircraft left wing. Approach to parking on the J-line was uneventful. After the aircraft was parked; Ramp personnel informed us that the left wing lower scimitar winglet had contacted a catering truck that was parked just outside the safety zone adjacent to the winglet. The contact left a scrape on the side of the catering truck and bent the pointed tip of the lower winglet. Before a determination of just how close the catering truck was to the edge of the safety zone could be made; the truck was driven away. Ground equipment taller than the height of the lower scimitar should not be parked next to the safety zone adjacent to the end of the wing. This reduces the margin for contact error. Tall equipment should be kept forward of the wing.


Second narrative: I was Captain and the aircraft was an -800 series with scimitar winglets. After an uneventful landing in BOS; we taxied toward the Gate. It was a slow taxi through the alley between terminals since there were aircraft parked at terminals to our right as well as our terminal on the left. My First Officer and I visually (and verbally) cleared the Safety Zone as we approached the J-Line. We noticed the normal hazards as we cleared the safety zone; i.e.: belt loaders; baggage carts; provisioning trucks and Ramp Personnel; and all were outside the safety lines. As I was squaring up on the J-Line; I turned my attention to the Marshaler; with lighted wands; and followed his instructions to our normal stopping spot. After completing our Engine Shutdown Checklist; the Agent and either the Marshaler or other Ramp Agent approached and advised us that the lower portion of the left scimitar winglet had clipped the side of the provisioning truck that was parked just outside the safety zone lines. I went out to inspect the winglet and found some minor damage to the lower tip of it and a scrape on the side panel of the Provo truck. We then informed Dispatch; Maintenance and the Chief Pilot on Call of the incident and made a logbook entry of the event. I do not recall if there were Wing Walkers or not; however; the Marshaler never gave any indication that we were too close to the catering truck and did not issue any kind of instruction to stop prior to our stop box. We were not rushed or distracted and were at a very slow taxi speed as we approached the gate. After inspecting the winglet damage; I assessed the status of the aircraft in relation to the J-Line and it appeared that there was a very slight tail drift to the left. After the aircraft was parked; it appeared that both sides of the aircraft wingtips and winglets were inside the safety lines. I believe this was a contributing factor; as well as the Marshaler guiding us into the catering truck; and the general positioning of the catering truck in such close proximity to the Safety Zone. I've always maintained that taxiing the aircraft; especially in tight quarters with personnel and equipment all around; is one of the most difficult challenges we face as Pilots. I now have an even greater respect for entering the Safety Zone and taxiing the aircraft in general. I believe that it's possible that this particular gate area may not be of sufficient size to accommodate -800 aircraft with scimitar winglets. If faced with this situation in the future; I will shut down the engines and have the Ground Crew tow us into the gate.


Synopsis: B737-800 flight crew experienced aircraft damage during gate arrival when the left scimitar winglet contacted a catering truck. The truck was parked outside the safety zone but very close to it and the aircraft; under a Marshalls direction; was on the lead in line.