2023-01 · NASA ASRS report 1966005
Air carrier flight crew flying an A319 aircraft reported loss of aircraft control during pushback.
Upon pushback from ZZZ Gate XX; as we began the turn; tail-west on to Taxiway XX; we were given permission to start engines. During the turn the tug began to slip and slide on the snow and ice. The tug did not appear to have any chains on the tires and the taxiways were covered in snow; and I presume; ice under the snow. The tug moved to a position to the left side of the flight deck at such an angle it was no longer able to push the aircraft back and became stuck on the ice. The Tug Driver asked me to set the brakes and I complied. The Tug Driver said they were going to remove the tow bar; move the tug; and re-attach from a new position to try the push from a different angle. However; the tow bar was now bound up and could not be removed from either the tug; nor the nose gear. Next; the Tug Driver said he was going to move the tug slightly to take the pressure off the tow bar and asked me to release the brakes. I complied and after informing the Tug Driver that the brakes were released; the tug began to try to move sideways away from the aircraft. During this tug movement; it felt like the tow bar became disconnected and fell off the nose gear. When the tow bar dropped off the nose gear; the aircraft began to move forward. The Tug Driver then urgently called; 'Captain!; Captain!'. I applied toe brakes immediately as I knew what had happened; and even though the wrong verbiage was used; I understood the urgency. After just a moment the Tug Driver stated; 'Set Brakes!'; but by that point I had the aircraft stopped. I set the brakes as requested. It is my impression that we may have moved about a ft. or less forward. A minute or so later the Tug Driver informed us that the aircraft had moved over the tow bar and the bar had become lodged between the two nose gear tires. I can only visualize what he meant; but I can say that they indicated they were now completely unable to remove the tow bar from under the nose gear. When it was determined that the tow bar was stuck and we were not going anywhere I stated that I was going to shut down both engines. A number of Ground Personnel had now shown up at the nose gear and I was concerned about personnel safety with the engines running. Numerous Maintenance and Ground Supervisors showed up in vehicles to survey the situation. Subsequently; quite a bit of banging could be heard; and felt from below; as they attempted to remove the tow bar from under the nose gear. A considerable time elapsed until I was told that Maintenance would need to cut the the tow bar loose. I have no idea how that was accomplished but eventually the tow bar was removed. Maintenance then asked if I could taxi into Gate XY; but I said no; as I wanted a nose gear inspection before attempting to move or to steer under my own power. I asked to be towed back into the gate. They agreed without question and a new tug was brought over; which had chains on the tires; and a new tow bar was connected. We were tugged back to Gate XY for inspection. After a couple of hours Maintenance had eventually replaced the tow-bar attachment coupler on the nose gear and cleared the aircraft to fly. We flew the truncated remainder of our sequence to ZZZ1 and ZZZ2.Snow and Ice on XX Ramp and Taxiway Echo. Tug did not have chains on tires. Suggest using chains on the tugs during these conditions.
Upon pushback from gate; as we began the turn to the taxiway centerline off Gate XX at ZZZ; the tug began to slip on the snow and ice. The tug then became stuck when it tried to push back at such an extreme angle it could no longer move the aircraft. The Tug Driver asked the Captain to set the brakes and he complied. The Tug driver said they were going to remove the tow bar and reattach to try the push from a different angle. However; the tow bar was now bound up and could not be removed. The Tug Driver asked the Captain to then release the brakes as he was attempting to maneuver the tug again. During this tug movement it felt like the tow bar became disconnected and the aircraft began to move forward. The Tug driver called; 'Captain;Captain' in an urgent manner. The Captain applied the toe brakes and at that moment the Tug driver asked him to set the brakes. The Tug driver then informed us that the aircraft had moved over the tow bar and lodged it between the two nose gear tires. A considerable time elapsed until the tow bar was eventually cut off. A new tow bar was connected and we were tugged back to Gate XY for inspection.weather-snow and iceSuggest use of tool associated with ground operations such as chains. Better ramp conditions with the snow and ice build up as it was not plowed.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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