A321 flight crew reported inexperienced ground personnel could not disconnect the towbar from the nose gear. During the final attempt the aircraft disconnected from the towbar and rolled onto the towbar.
Synopsis
A321 flight crew reported inexperienced ground personnel could not disconnect the towbar from the nose gear. During the final attempt the aircraft disconnected from the towbar and rolled onto the towbar.
Narrative
After pushing back from gate XXX; ramp personnel requested the Captain to set the parking brake. The Captain used standard verbiage to set the brake and disconnect the inter phone. The ramp personnel were having a difficult time disconnecting the tow bar. The ramp personnel then asked using standard verbiage to release the parking brake to adjust the tug and tow bar. Once done moving the tug they requested to set parking brake which the Captain did using standard procedures. The tug and tow bar were adjusted three or four times attempting to free the tow bar from the aircraft. During the final attempt to the align the tug; tow bar; and aircraft the ramp personnel announce through the inter-phone 'brake brake set brake'. Which the Captain quickly did. The ramp personnel then explained the tow bar had been damaged. We then coordinated with maintenance personnel to remove the tow bar; inspect the nose landing gear; and return to the gate XXX without further incident.Ramp personnel experience level. Ramp Personnel Training on non-normal procedures when pushing back aircraft and disconnecting of tow bar.
Second reporter narrative
After completing pushback; the guideperson requested to release the brake because ground crew was unable to disconnect the towbar. After several unsuccessful attempts I asked if we should contact Maintenance for assistance. The guideperson declined and verbalized that he would like to try it one more time. This time he pulled the aircraft and commanded us 'brakes brakes brakes' shortly after. The aircraft became disengaged and came to a stop on top of the towbar. Causal factors are the guideperson / ground crew troubleshooting an issue with the towbar without supervision of Maintenance. Only allow troubleshooting under guidance of Maintenance. More guidance might be needed for unusual situations during pushback procedure.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.