Flight crew reported issues during a pushback.
Synopsis
Flight crew reported issues during a pushback.
Narrative
While being pushed back from gate X in the C-9 alley at LAX; the nose of our aircraft was being pushed exceedingly close to a catering truck near the rear of an Aircraft X parked at gate Y. Recognizing this the Captain immediately applied the aircraft brakes to stop the push as he assessed if the push had continued in the current direction; the nose of the aircraft would have impacted the catering truck. The Captain simultaneously witnessed the wing walker on the Captain's side attempting to signal the tug driver to stop as well. When the aircraft push was stopped the catering truck pulled forward towards the aircraft on gate Y providing more clearance and the tug driver redirected the aircraft to safely continue the push. That said; it appeared the aircraft nose was well over the safety line on the opposite side of the C-9 alley. The Captain verbally communicated to the tug driver why brakes were applied. Fortunately; a tow-bar-less tug was being used so damage to a tow bar and/or the nose gear linkage was not a factor after the abrupt stop.Additionally; when the push was resumed; two employee buses pulled out uncomfortably close to the push operation perhaps because they did not expect an aircraft to be that close to their exit lane and were operating as they normally do. The tight alley way driven by construction likely has desensitized ground personnel to the reduced safety margins during ramp ground operations. The CA did a great job intervening so as to avoid catastrophic collision while not damaging the push equipment or injuring the push crew.The First Officer has reached out to the LAX APA Safety Chair to inform him of the event in the hopes that LAX operations will use video of this 'near miss on push' and share it with all push crews to illustrate the hazards of operations in what is the normally high density environment of LAX exacerbated by extensive construction. Also; re-emphasize to all ground crews operating vehicles that aircraft under tug; tow; or taxi have the right of way and to always be cognizant of potential irregularities during constantly changing LAX construction.
Second reporter narrative
While being pushed back from gate X in the C-9 alley at LAX; the nose of our aircraft was being pushed exceedingly close to a catering truck near the rear of an Aircraft X parked at gate Y. Recognizing this the Captain immediately applied the aircraft brakes to stop the push as he assessed if the push had continued in the current direction; the nose of the aircraft would have impacted the catering truck. The Captain simultaneously witnessed the wing walker on the Captain's side attempting to signal the tug driver to stop as well. When the aircraft push was stopped the catering truck pulled forward towards the aircraft on gate Y providing more clearance and the tug driver redirected the aircraft to safely continue the push. That said; it appeared the aircraft nose was well over the safety line on the opposite side of the C-9 alley. The Captain verbally communicated to the tug driver why brakes were applied. Fortunately; a tow-bar-less tug was being used so damage to a tow bar and/or the nose gear linkage was not a factor after the abrupt stop.Additionally; when the push was resumed; two employee buses pulled out uncomfortably close to the push operation perhaps because they did not expect an aircraft to be that close to their exit lane and were operating as they normally do. Push crew not allowing enough clearance for the narrow alley and construction zone in the C-9 alley.Obtain video tapes of this 'near miss on push' and share it with all push crews to illustrate the hazards of operations in what is the normally high density environment of LAX exacerbated by extensive construction. Re-emphasize to all ground crews operating vehicles that aircraft under tug; tow; or taxi have the right of way and to always be cognizant of potential irregularities during constantly changing LAX construction.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.