Flight crew reported a Nose Wheel Tire was damaged during pushback when the aircraft rolled into the tow bar. Maintenance replaced both Nose Wheel Tires.
Synopsis
Flight crew reported a Nose Wheel Tire was damaged during pushback when the aircraft rolled into the tow bar. Maintenance replaced both Nose Wheel Tires.
Narrative
Tow bar issues.The aircraft was pushed back from the gate and the parking brake was set. The Ground Personnel was clearly having issues disconnecting the tow bar from the aircraft. Visually from the flight deck it looked like the tow bar/tug was at a very sharp angle for normal tow bar removal. During engine start the Ground Crew request the Captain release the parking brake which he declined to do. She said she needed to pull the aircraft forward to release the tow bar. The Captain responded he would release the parking brake if she reinserted the Nose Wheel Steering Bypass Pin which she did; subsequently the Captain released the brakes. The aircraft broke free from the tow bar and began to roll forward. The Tug Operator yelled; 'SET BRAKES! SET BRAKES!' Simultaneously the Captain set the brakes and I quickly applied the toe brakes. The aircraft had rolled forward into the tow-bar putting a small but significant scratch on the sidewall and a small gouge into the Nose Wheel Tire. Maintenance was on site quickly and there were no injuries. We successfully taxied back to the gate where the Nose Wheel Tires were replaced.
Second reporter narrative
Push back Deviation.At conclusion of push back; the Ground Ramp Person was having issues removing the tow bar from the aircraft. The Ground Ramp Person requested that the parking brake be released to remove the tow bar. I stated this could not be done. The Ground Ramp Person then requested to pull the aircraft forward in an attempt to better align the tow bar to the aircraft for removal. To do this; I said that the Nose Wheel Steering would have to be disconnected before moving the aircraft forward. The Nose Wheel Steering was then disconnected and the ground ramp person requested that the Parking Brake be released. As I released the parking brake; the aircraft began to move forward. The Ground Ramp Person then yelled 'set brakes; set brakes' over intercom. The Brakes were set and the Ground Ramp Person stated that the Tow Bar was now not connected to the aircraft and under the Nose Gear Tire. Maintenance Personnel arrived and relayed that a Nose Gear Tire was now damaged. I taxied the aircraft back to the gate where a maintenance inspection of the Nose Gear was performed and a Nose Tire was replaced.At the gate; I expressed my push back communication and procedures concerns to a Ground Ramp Person Supervisor. I was unable to have a debrief with the actual Ground Ramp Person involved in the incident.This incident highlights the danger of push back operations and the importance of clear and concise communication as well as 100% SOP compliance.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.