A321 wing walker and service truck driver reported the truck driver drove into the path of the aircraft being pushed back. The wing walker alerted the tug driver who came to an abrupt stop resulting in a sheared tow bar.
Synopsis
A321 wing walker and service truck driver reported the truck driver drove into the path of the aircraft being pushed back. The wing walker alerted the tug driver who came to an abrupt stop resulting in a sheared tow bar.
Narrative
We were ready to push Aircraft X. I was located at the First Officer (FO) side as a wing walker. Beacon light is on; push back driver gives us the signal to push back the plane; push back started. Lavatory driver crossed between me and the plane inside the safety envelope while push back was already started. At the moment I noticed the situation I start doing signals and yelling them to stop; but they didn't pay attention. They drove the truck while the plane was moving putting in risk the safety of me; passengers and the plane. Push back driver noticed that there was a vehicle crossing while they were moving; hit the brakes and the tow bar shear pin got broken. Push back driver came to a complete stop; Captain and Crew Chief were informed. Aircraft Maintenance was called to inspect the plane; resulting in no aircraft damage.Once I noticed that the driver was crossing between me and the plane inside the safety envelope; I tried all the best I can do to prevent the event but they didn't pay attention and obey orders. They put in danger my safety; passengers and the plane. Plane beacon light was on; wing walkers were in position; aircraft had the right of way. Lavatory driver was not supposed to drive on the safety envelope while the plane was moving. They are supposed to use the designated road to move around aircraft not in between the safety envelope. You are supposed to enter with a vehicle on the safety envelope if you are servicing the plane not for traveling on the ramp.Once the driver crossed between me and the plane; the push back driver hit the brakes to prevent hitting the lavatory truck and creating aircraft damage. Tow bar shear pin broke. Push back driver came to a complete stop; notified the Captain and our Crew Chief. Aircraft Maintenance was called to inspect the plane; resulting in no aircraft damage just the tow bar shear pin was broken. Drivers around the ramp should remember the aircraft always has the right of way and it is mandatory to use the designated roads for traveling around aircraft.
Second reporter narrative
I was finishing up an airplane. I look up; I did not see the beacon on the aircraft next to me. I attempted to pull off my current gate and I did not see the beacon because the landing gear was in the way and the sun was in my line of sight. I did not see the wing walker because of the mirror on the truck. It looked clear to me. After pulling up several feet the wing walker cleared the mirror; and at that point I looked and saw the plane moving. I don't feel I was close to the aircraft at all. I got a message on my rover saying that I was to come to a meeting. I was told the push driver stopped and the shear pin broke. I did not see the wing walker because of the mirror on the truck. It looked clear to me. After pulling up several feet the wing walker cleared the mirror; at that point I look and saw the plane moving. I got a message on my rover saying that I was to come to a meeting. The wing walker was too far away from the plane. They needed to be closer to the plane while wing walking.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.