Accident Overview
On November 14, 2008, at 0545 eastern standard time, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19 (registration N8698A) operated by Pinnacle Airlines Inc., doing business as Northwest Airlink, was involved in a ground collision while taxiing at Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW), Detroit, Michigan. The scheduled domestic passenger flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 121, had arrived from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), Grand Rapids, Michigan. The aircraft, equipped with CF34-3B1 engines, was struck by a Delta Airlines tug towing a small luggage cart. The tug driver received minor injuries; none of the 17 passengers, two pilots, or one flight attendant were injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Flight and Weather
Flight 2544 landed on runway 22L and was instructed by ground control to taxi via taxiways Kilo and Quebec 3, holding short of taxiway Quebec. The flight then contacted ramp control and was cleared to taxi to gate C7 via taxiway Quebec, proceeding from north to south. At the time, weather conditions included wind from 170 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 4 miles in fog, overcast ceiling at 500 feet, temperature 9 degrees Celsius, and light rain. It was dark.
Taxi and Collision Sequence
The captain reported that the airplane's lights were on, including navigation, anti-collision, wing inspection, and taxi/recognition lights. The Northwest Airlines ramp controller stated he could clearly see the airplane with its normal taxi lights. The captain stated he did not see any ground vehicles nearby and was moving at a crawl toward gate C7 when the left side of the aircraft was struck. He then requested crash, fire, and rescue personnel.
The tug driver, a ramp agent working the second day of a four-day work week, had arrived at work around 0515. He drove from the B/C concourse to the A concourse to pick up last-minute bags for a Delta flight. While driving back on a zipper road between concourses, it was dark with steady rain. He had his windshield wipers on and could see the lit C concourse ahead. As he crossed an intersecting taxiway, he heard airplane engines nearby and was surprised. He glimpsed an airplane fuselage immediately before a loud crunch. He did not see any airplane lights. He stated that airplanes did not often taxi south on that taxiway; they usually went north.
Aftermath
The tug struck the left wing about halfway down, and the tug ended up near the wing-to-fuselage fairing. The tug was dragged approximately 25 feet before the aircraft stopped. The ramp agent stated he was ejected from the tug; his cell phone was found about 15 feet away on the ramp. The tug's front axle was damaged, with other damage reported as cosmetic. The ramp agent thought he lost consciousness briefly. He called Comair operations to report the accident and requested a supervisor and ARFF personnel. Police, firefighters, and rescue personnel arrived soon after. Company policy prohibited the ramp agent from using a cell phone while performing duties.