Narrative:

During taxi in to gate; we had green lights and all clear from the paat system. We were on the taxi in line and the area looked clear from what I could see. As we continued taxiing in; I saw the left wing walker; the one of the captain side; cross his wands for me to stop. I immediately stopped the aircraft; but heard an unfamiliar noise as the aircraft came to a stop. We hit a tug with the right wing vortilons (the outer two). I did not even know that we hit the tug; until my first officer looked back again and saw the tug. I never saw the tug before or after the event; until they moved the tug and marshalled us in and I was able to get out of the aircraft. I really didn't know we hit anything until the ramp and maintenance personnel came out and started taking pictures prior to us continuing the taxi in to the gate. The paat system was giving me the all clear to taxi; so I don't know how this tug was not captured by the parking system as not being clear of conflict. While we were waiting for ramp and maintenance to take the pictures; I asked my first officer if he had seen the tug. He said that he felt we were clear on his side and the tug was not in the way. Apparently; the tug that we came in contact with was taller than expected by my first officer. I never saw the tug; and I still don't know if it was there or was moved while we were taxiing in to the gate. The only ramp person I saw telling me to stop was the wing walker on the left side of the aircraft. We were finally cleared to continue into the gate to park. I then talked to maintenance; filled out the log book; called my chief pilot; and was cleared to leave the aircraft. There were no injuries to the passengers; crew; or ramp.the ramp is always a threat whether taxiing into or out of the area. There are always tugs; lav trucks; golf carts; and fuel trucks moving around the ramp; as well as baggage carts left unattended. I feel that I am very cautious when entering and exiting the gate and ramp areas. Unfortunately; this happened tonight; but I don't feel that we were rushing or not being cautious. Obviously there was an error that lead to a uas; and the breakdown of communication between the ramp personnel and the flight crew was a threat.I will strive to communicate with the first officer to always speak up if there is any doubt or anything that might even be in the vicinity of the aircraft. I feel that I communicate this to my first officers; but I will ensure that they know that it is their responsibility to assist me and never assume. Also; being more aware of my surroundings on the first officer side.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A flight crew reported while taxiing an Embraer EMB 135 into a self guided parking system with three green lights guiding them; the right wing hit a tug that was parked within the parking envelop.

Narrative: During taxi in to gate; we had green lights and all clear from the PAAT system. We were on the taxi in line and the area looked clear from what I could see. As we continued taxiing in; I saw the left wing walker; the one of the captain side; cross his wands for me to stop. I immediately stopped the aircraft; but heard an unfamiliar noise as the aircraft came to a stop. We hit a tug with the right wing vortilons (the outer two). I did not even know that we hit the tug; until my first officer looked back again and saw the tug. I never saw the tug before or after the event; until they moved the tug and marshalled us in and I was able to get out of the aircraft. I really didn't know we hit anything until the ramp and maintenance personnel came out and started taking pictures prior to us continuing the taxi in to the gate. The PAAT system was giving me the all clear to taxi; so I don't know how this tug was not captured by the parking system as not being clear of conflict. While we were waiting for ramp and maintenance to take the pictures; I asked my first officer if he had seen the tug. He said that he felt we were clear on his side and the tug was not in the way. Apparently; the tug that we came in contact with was taller than expected by my first officer. I never saw the tug; and I still don't know if it was there or was moved while we were taxiing in to the gate. The only ramp person I saw telling me to stop was the wing walker on the left side of the aircraft. We were finally cleared to continue into the gate to park. I then talked to maintenance; filled out the log book; called my Chief pilot; and was cleared to leave the aircraft. There were no injuries to the passengers; crew; or ramp.The ramp is always a threat whether taxiing into or out of the area. There are always tugs; lav trucks; golf carts; and fuel trucks moving around the ramp; as well as baggage carts left unattended. I feel that I am very cautious when entering and exiting the gate and ramp areas. Unfortunately; this happened tonight; but I don't feel that we were rushing or not being cautious. Obviously there was an error that lead to a UAS; and the breakdown of communication between the ramp personnel and the flight crew was a threat.I will strive to communicate with the first officer to always speak up if there is any doubt or anything that might even be in the vicinity of the aircraft. I feel that I communicate this to my first officers; but I will ensure that they know that it is their responsibility to assist me and never assume. Also; being more aware of my surroundings on the first officer side.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.