Incident Overview
On June 28, 2008, at approximately 1815 eastern daylight time, two Bombardier regional jet aircraft operated by PSA Airlines Inc., doing business as US Airways Express, collided on the ground at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina. The aircraft involved were a CL-600-2C10 (CRJ 700), registration N725PS, and a CL-600-2B19 (CRJ 200), registration N228PS. Both aircraft were being operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 and had filed instrument flight rules flight plans. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Sequence of Events
The CRJ 200 had completed its pushback from gate E21 and was waiting for taxi clearance. The CRJ 700 was parked at gate E12 and received clearance from ramp control for pushback. Due to lightning in the vicinity of CLT, ground crewmembers were not using headsets. A wing walker was positioned at the left wing of the CRJ 700, in plain view of the tugdriver. The wing walker was aware of the stationary CRJ 200 and believed the pushback would only extend about 10 feet, sufficient to trigger the aircraft's ACARS "out" time. As the tugdriver continued the pushback beyond 10 feet, the wing walker signaled for the tugdriver to stop. The tugdriver did not observe the wing walker, and the tail section of the CRJ 700 struck the tail section of the CRJ 200.
Ground Crew Observations
Two other ground crewmembers reported seeing the wing walker signaling the tugdriver to stop. One crewmember, working at gate E14, ran toward the tugdriver and attempted to get his attention but stated that the tugdriver was focused on the cockpit of the CRJ 700 and was directing the start of its No. 2 engine. The tugdriver later stated that he began the pushback normally and gave the flight crew the signal to start the No. 2 engine. He was not aware of any problem until he saw the ground crewmember from gate E14.
Occupants and Damage
On board the CRJ 700 were 2 flight crewmembers, 2 flight attendants, and 60 passengers; on the CRJ 200 were 2 flight crewmembers, 1 flight attendant, and 45 passengers. No injuries were reported on either aircraft. The empennages of both airplanes were substantially damaged.