Ground handling error leads to towbar damage at Warsaw Chopin Airport

Casualties unknown • Gdańsk (EPGD), PL

An Airbus 320 experienced a towbar failure during pushback operations at EPGD due to improper communication between ground staff and the flight crew.

What happened

On June 5, 2012, an Airbus 320 was undergoing pushback operations at Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPGD). After the aircraft had been pushed back by a diesel tug, the ground assistant disconnected the towbar from the aircraft. Immediately following this disconnection, the aircraft moved forward several dozen centimeters before coming to a halt. The impact resulted in damage to the towbar head.

The investigation

The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of events following the disconnection of the towbar. The investigation established that the flight crew initiated the engine start sequence after the towbar had been disconnected, but notably before the parking brake had been applied.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the incident was improper communication between the ground handling personnel and the aircraft crew during the pushback process.
  • The crew began engine start procedures while the aircraft was still in a state that allowed unintended movement.
  • The disconnection of the towbar occurred without ensuring the aircraft was properly secured by the parking brake.

Probable cause

The incident was caused by a failure in communication between ground handlers and the flight crew, which led to the crew starting engines and moving the aircraft before the parking brake was set and the pushback was safely concluded.

Related events

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2012-06-05 Airbus A320 accident near Gdańsk (EPGD), PL?

An Airbus 320 experienced a towbar failure during pushback operations at EPGD due to improper communication between ground staff and the flight crew.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2012-06-05 involved a Airbus A320, at Gdańsk (EPGD), PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The incident was caused by a failure in communication between ground handlers and the flight crew, which led to the crew starting engines and moving the aircraft before the parking brake was set and the pushback was safely concluded.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2012-0570/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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