A ground handling vehicle collided with a taxiing business jet at Milan Linate Airport on Aug. 10, damaging both the aircraft and vehicle and briefly disrupting airport operations.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:20 a.m. local time when a Fiat Panda airside vehicle operated by dnata crossed the path of a Hawker Beechcraft 400A as the aircraft taxied toward the runway.

Video of the collision circulating on social media shows the vehicle traveling across the apron and entering the aircraft's path. The driver appears to attempt to turn away immediately before the aircraft's nose strikes the passenger side of the vehicle.

No passengers were aboard the aircraft, and no injuries were reported.

“Safety is our highest priority across our global operations. We are working with the affected airline and the relevant authorities to establish the circumstances of the incident,” dnata said in a statement provided to AIN.

The aircraft, registered I-AERB, is operated by Italian charter company Slam Air, also known as Slam Lavori Aerei.

The collision caused significant damage to the nose of the aircraft and the side of the ground vehicle. Airport emergency personnel responded to secure the area and inspect the aircraft and vehicle.

Operations at Linate were suspended for approximately 30 to 40 minutes while authorities responded to the incident. Two arriving flights were diverted, including a KLM flight from Amsterdam that landed at Milan Malpensa Airport and an ITA Airways flight from Rome that diverted to Bergamo. Both later continued to Linate.

The circumstances leading to the collision remain under investigation. AIN reported, citing unnamed sources among FBOs at Linate, that the vehicle's handbrake may not have been applied. That account has not been confirmed by dnata or airport authorities, and video of the incident appears to show the vehicle moving under power before the collision.

The incident highlights the risks created when ground vehicles and aircraft operate in close proximity and the importance of vehicle-control procedures, situational awareness and clear coordination among personnel working on airport movement areas.

Airports and ground handling organizations rely on a combination of driver training, designated vehicle routes, right-of-way rules, communications and other safeguards to separate vehicles from moving aircraft. Even relatively low-speed incidents can result in substantial aircraft damage, operational interruptions and potential danger to personnel.

Authorities and dnata have not yet released additional information about the cause of the collision or whether procedural, communications or other factors contributed to the incident.