What happened
On 3 September 2009, a DHC-8-402 Dash 8, registration G-JECR, was prepared for a scheduled passenger flight from Isle of Man (Ronaldsway) Airport to London Gatwick. Having completed pre-start preparations, the flight crew received clearance to push back from their parking stand. Due to an initial ATC delay, the commander decided to park the aircraft in a waiting area with the APU running, intending to start the engines closer to the departure time.
Once the pushback was finished, the commander set the parking brake and received permission from the ground supervisor to disconnect the tow bar. Following the start of the right engine, a ground crewman positioned himself beneath the nose of the aircraft to remove the tow bar. As the right engine was started, the No 2 hydraulic system became pressurized, causing the forward nosewheel undercarriage doors to close. This movement caught the crewman's right upper arm and chest. The tug driver, noticing the situation, attempted to alert the flight crew, and the commander subsequently shut down the right engine and used the landing gear door release handle to assist the crewman. The individual was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation established that the aircraft's landing gear and associated doors are operated via the No 2 hydraulic system, which is driven by the right engine. When this engine is started, the system pressurizes and the forward nosewheel doors close automatically after the gear has been cycled.
It was noted that during the first flight of the day, engineering inspections require the nose landing gear bay doors to be opened fully. These doors remain in that position until the right engine is started and the hydraulic system is pressurized.
Findings
- The pressurization of the No 2 hydraulic system during the right engine start caused the automatic closure of the forward nosewheel undercarriage doors.
- The ground crewman was positioned in the path of the closing doors while attempting to remove the tow bar.
- The tug driver's initial attempt to communicate the emergency to the flight crew was not immediately heard by the cockpit.