What happened
On July 12, 2010, at approximately 21:00 UTC, an Airbus A319, registration G-EZIV, was undergoing a pushback maneuver at Lisbon Airport (LPPT). The aircraft, operated by EasyJet, was being moved from stand 1ulum 146 toward taxiway R1 using a tug and a towbar.
During the final phase of the maneuver, the ground crew attempted to reposition the aircraft forward (a "pull ahead") to align it with the taxiway. This maneuver involved a sharp right-hand turn. During this movement, the support pins of the towbar fractured, causing the towbar to disconnect from the nose gear. Due to the 2% downhill slope of the apron and a 16-knot tailwind, the aircraft continued to move forward, ultimately colliding with the tug. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft's cowling and the number 2 engine cover. There were no injuries among the 96 passengers or the crew.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation examined the mechanical condition of the equipment, the environmental conditions, and the operational procedures used by the ground handling company. Investigators analyzed the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), which confirmed that the flight crew had not applied brakes or increased engine power prior to the impact, and that the engine power remained at idle.
The investigation also reviewed the maintenance records of the tug (registration 17-126) and the towbar. While the towbar pins were certified and in good condition, the investigation identified issues regarding the tug's tires and the adequacy of the operational checklists used by the ground crew.