What happened
On February 6, 2016, during ground operations at Kraków Airport (EPKT), a Bombardier DHC-8-400 operated by PLL LOT SA was being pushed back from stand number 8. The aircraft engines were initially shut down. A ground coordinator and a tug driver were in the process of attaching a towbar to the aircraft, registration SP-EQE.
While the coordinator was positioned under the aircraft fuselage near the nose gear strut to secure the towbar bolts, the aircraft captain requested permission to start engine number 2. The coordinator granted this permission while still positioned beneath the nose gear assembly. Immediately following the clearance, the nose gear bay covers began to close automatically. The coordinator was caught by the closing covers, and the tug driver attempted to pry them open to release her. Although the coordinator was able to extricate herself without immediate physical complaints, she was subsequently taken to the hospital for a 24-hour observation period. The tug driver sustained bruised fingers during the rescue attempt.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of communications and the mechanical operation of the aircraft's nose gear bay doors during engine start. The inquiry established that the automatic closing mechanism of the gear bay covers is triggered by the activation of engine number 2. The investigation also reviewed the coordination between the ground crew and the flight deck during the pushback procedure.