On May 30, 2005, a DE Havilland DHC-8-202 (registration N454YV) was involved in an aviation accident near Denver, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The improper procedures conducted by the ground personnel and the flight crew's failure to coordinate procedures with the ground personnel during push back operation which resulted in the collision between the ground support vehicle and the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During pushback, a trainee turned the aircraft in the wrong direction; the supervisor corrected the turn, causing nose wheels to exit the cradle and rest on the ground support vehicle.
Incident Details
During initial pushback operations, a trainee operating a ground support vehicle turned the aircraft in the wrong direction. The supervisor then took over control of the vehicle. While attempting to turn the aircraft around, the nose wheels rolled out of the vehicle's wheel cradle and up onto the ground support vehicle itself.
An employee reported overhearing one of the flight crewmembers inform dispatch that ground personnel were making a sharp turn and that the crewmember believed the airplane might be pushed back into another aircraft.
Company Response
The company that provided the ground support personnel stated that the pushback operation should have come to a stop and that communication should have occurred between the flight crew and ground crew to resolve all concerns regarding safe maneuvers.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 30 May 2005 DE Havilland DHC-8-202 accident near Denver, CO?
During pushback, a trainee turned the aircraft in the wrong direction; the supervisor corrected the turn, causing nose wheels to exit the cradle and rest on the ground support vehicle.
Were there any fatalities in the 30 May 2005 DE Havilland DHC-8-202 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 30 May 2005 involved a DE Havilland DHC-8-202, registration N454YV, at Denver, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The improper procedures conducted by the ground personnel and the flight crew's failure to coordinate procedures with the ground personnel during push back operation which resulted in the collision between the ground support vehicle and the airplane. A contributing factor was the inadequate communication between the…
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