Incident Details
The pilot had requested that the airplane be pushed back from the terminal apron to the de-icing area prior to departure. The weather was overcast with light precipitation, and the ambient temperature was around freezing. The signalman operated the headset interphone, which was plugged into the communications panel on the nosegear strut. The crew chief directed the pushback from the tractor. During the procedure, the signalman was struck by the nosewheels.
Ground Crew Training
All ground crew personnel, except the signalman, stated that they had been trained by video on the three-man pushback procedures. However, they also stated that they did not have the longer communications cord and the connector box on the tractor, which are needed to accomplish the procedures.
Equipment
The absence of the longer communications cord and the connector box on the tractor was noted by the ground crew. These items are required for the proper execution of the three-man pushback procedures in which the crew had been trained.