Incident Overview
On February 20, 2011, at 1924 central standard time, a Boeing 737-823, registration N945AN, collided with a parked McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 (MD-82), registration N70504, during pushback from gate A26 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Southlake, Texas. The Boeing 737 sustained minor damage, while the MD-82 was substantially damaged. Both aircraft were operated by American Airlines, Inc. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the Boeing's cross-country flight to Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Palm Beach, Florida. The Boeing was operating as American Airlines flight 1808, a scheduled domestic passenger flight.
Sequence of Events
According to American Airlines, the 737 was being pushed straight back from gate A26 when the tow bar separated from the nose gear. The airplane rolled backwards, severing the communications cord to the flight deck. The captain and first officer, who were in the process of starting the engines, were unaware that the airplane was rolling freely. The 737's right wing tip struck the nose of the DC-9, which was parked at pad N. All occupants—the captain, first officer, 4 cabin attendants, and 139 passengers—were deplaned and transported to the terminal. There were no occupants aboard the DC-9. No injuries were reported on either aircraft.
Examination
The tractor driver informed investigators that the tow bar was already attached to the aircraft when he arrived. He then attached the other end of the tow bar to the tractor. The driver stated that he checked the tow bar and ascertained that the bypass pin was in place and the tow bar wheels were fully retracted. Examination of the tow bar by American Airlines maintenance personnel revealed no mechanical failures or abnormalities.