Ramp agents reported the aircraft disconnected from the tow bar during push back and control of the aircraft was lost because Nose Wheel Steering Bypass Pin had not been installed prior to push back. The Captain applied brakes to stop the aircraft.
Synopsis
Ramp agents reported the aircraft disconnected from the tow bar during push back and control of the aircraft was lost because Nose Wheel Steering Bypass Pin had not been installed prior to push back. The Captain applied brakes to stop the aircraft.
Narrative
Prior to departure around D-XX; I was headed to the tow bar to begin the install hookup. My team mate went ahead and grabbed the tow bar instead. I had grabbed the bypass pin and placed it on tow bar so that he could properly hookup the tow bar. I then proceeded to hop in the push back while my teammate was guiding me to hook push back tractor to tow bar. I proceeded to go to belt to continue normal flight operations. My teammate went to do the walk around the push back was commenced.I realized the event occurred because I was wing walking the Captain's side of the road when I could see the plane had disconnected from the tow bar and push back tug. I am unsure why the event occurred as I was under the impression that we did everything properly. At first I believed that the plane broke due to over-time wear. We notified Management and had the Captain call for Maintenance and everyone waited in their positions for Maintenance to arrive.Suggestions - I am unsure at this time as I'm unaware to what caused the damage.
Second reporter narrative
When the aircraft arrived; I had communicated with my other agent; that I would guide the aircraft in and he would download the aircraft. When the aircraft pulled in; I was no longer the person guiding the aircraft in but instead; I was now wing walking the left side of the aircraft because Agent A was guiding the aircraft in instead. So now I am under the impression that I am going to either unload or upload the aircraft on departure. With a quick departure time upon arrival; once downloaded; I went to the aft with the Crew Chief to help with the upload. Once we uploaded the aft of the aircraft; my Crew Chief advised me to take carts to the extra carts to the graveyard while the fwd compartment is being uploaded. Upon returning to the gate; I assisted with uploading the fwd. From then I realized that there were still 15 mins till departure and the gate power nor pre conditioned air was disconnected yet. I received confirmation from the Captain to disconnect the power and air. From there; I cannot recall if I had assisted in connecting the tow bar to the aircraft or the push back to the tow bar. Afterwards; I went to the bottom of the jet bridge to grab any gate check bags. I realized that Agent A was at the top of the jet bridge because I was made aware that he does not push. So; I took it upon myself to do a walk around and to push the aircraft off the gate for departure. I went through the entire verbiage with the pilot for push back and proceeded to push the aircraft. Once in motion I noticed the tow bar was slightly not going with the nose wheel of the plane and then all of a sudden I heard a loud bang and the tow bar disconnected from the nose gear of the aircraft. I quickly yelled brakes on the intercom so the captain can stop the aircraft from rolling. To my knowledge; I thought it was the shear pin the broke and notified the Captain that Maintenance need to come look at it before I can do anything else. From there; I notified my Crew Chief and Management of the occurrence.I realized the event occurred when I began to turn the aircraft; I heard a loud noise and then visual saw something snaps off and the tow bar disconnect from the aircraft. when I saw this happen; I immediately notified the Captain by yelling BRAKES; BRAKES; BRAKES. The event occurred during push back for departure; and it happened because I thought the shear pin had broken off the tow bar. I contacted the Captain to let him know the shear pin broke on the tow bar and that Maintenance needs to be called out to inspect as well as notifying the Tower. Once that was completed; I notified my Crew Chief and Management of the situation.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.