Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 14 December 2003
Aircraft Type: Canadair CRJ-200LR
Owner/operator: Air Wisconsin, opf AirTran JetConnect
Registration Number: N445AW
Location: Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 44
Component Affected: Tug bar and tow bar.Tug bar and tow bar.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A tug operator initiated pushback operations on the ramp, but lost control of the tug, causing the airplane to turn to the right. A tow bar shear pin broke, resulting in the airplane colliding with the fuselage. Damage to the airplane’s ribs was observed.A tug operator initiated pushback operations on the ramp, but lost control of the tug, causing the airplane to turn to the right. A tow bar shear pin broke, resulting in the airplane colliding with the fuselage. Damage to the airplane’s ribs was observed.
Description
During the pushback from the gate, the tug operator attempted to stop the airplane on the ramp. At the time of pushback operations the ramp surface was wet and the lighting condition on the ramp was dark. The tug slid to the left as the airplane went to the right for undetermined reasons. The shear pin on the tow bar broke and the airplane turned to the right. The tug collided with the right side of the fuselage after the tug driver jumped from the tug. Examination of the airplane revealed 9 damaged ribs on the bottom side of the fuselage. Probable Cause: The tug operator’s loss of control and his failure to maintain clearance from the aircraft during pushback operations.
Primary Cause
Loss of control by the tug operator during pushback operations.Loss of control by the tug operator during pushback operations.Share on:
