Ground vehicle incident during aircraft pushback

Casualties unknown • Denver, CO, US

A ground support vehicle error caused the nose wheels of an aircraft to roll out of their cradle and onto the vehicle during a pushback maneuver.

What happened

During an initial pushback maneuver, a trainee operating a ground support vehicle turned the aircraft in the incorrect direction. In response to this error, the supervisor took control of the vehicle to correct the movement. During the supervisor's attempt to reposition the aircraft, the nose wheels rolled out of the vehicle's wheel cradle and onto the ground support vehicle itself.

A flight crewmember reported to dispatch that they observed the ground personnel making a sharp turn, leading to concerns that the aircraft would be pushed into another airplane. No injuries or damage were specified in the report, and no fatalities occurred.

Findings

The ground support company stated that the pushback operation should have been halted to allow for communication between the flight crew and the ground crew. This pause would have enabled both parties to resolve concerns regarding safe maneuvering during the procedure.

Probable cause

The pushback operation failed to stop to allow for necessary communication between the flight crew and ground personnel to address safety concerns regarding sharp maneuvers.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-05-30 DE Havilland DHC-8-202 accident near Denver, CO?

A ground support vehicle error caused the nose wheels of an aircraft to roll out of their cradle and onto the vehicle during a pushback maneuver.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-05-30 involved a DE Havilland DHC-8-202, registration N454YV, at Denver, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pushback operation failed to stop to allow for necessary communication between the flight crew and ground personnel to address safety concerns regarding sharp maneuvers.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050610X00753. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…