Accident Overview
On Sunday, 14 July 2024, an Airbus A320-214, registration 9H-VDS, operated by Galistair, was at parking position 3 of A Coruña Airport. The aircraft was being prepared for a flight from A Coruña to Gran Canaria. At approximately 17:47 UTC, after preparations were complete, the aircraft was towed for pushback from the parking position to the taxiway.
Ground Crew and Equipment
The ground handling team consisted of three agents: two operators and one coordinator. The coordinator was responsible for communications with the flight crew. A tractor, driven by agent 1, and a towbar, operated by agent 2, were used for the tow.
Events Leading to the Accident
After the pushback maneuver, the coordinator asked the flight crew to engage the parking brake so the towbar could be disconnected. Agent 2 attempted to detach the towbar from the tractor but could not. After several attempts, agent 2 asked agent 1 to move the tractor slightly to loosen the connection, but this did not help.
Agent 2 then asked the coordinator to request the flight crew to release the parking brake so the tractor could be repositioned. At one point, agent 1 got off the tractor and instructed agent 2 to take his place. Agent 1 then went to the end of the towbar attached to the aircraft and tried to disconnect it there, while agent 2 sat at the tractor controls.
The Accident
Agent 1 successfully disconnected the towbar from the aircraft. Immediately after, the aircraft began to move forward, trapping agent 1's leg under one of the nose landing gear wheels. Agent 2, the coordinator, and other airport workers nearby managed to free agent 1's leg from the wheel.
Aftermath
Medical assistance, Guardia Civil, and the airport fire service (SSEI) arrived and took charge. As a result, agent 1 was seriously injured. The aircraft sustained no damage and, once the situation was resolved, was able to proceed with its scheduled flight.
Investigation Progress
The investigation has focused on the operation of the ground handling team, its coordination, and the procedures and equipment of the ground handling company regarding aircraft towing. The investigation is ongoing.