2023-05 · NASA ASRS report 1999021
A320 flight crew reported the pushback ground crew failed to follow the company's pushback procedures which resulted in the uncontrolled aircraft to rollback. The Captain applied the aircraft brakes to regain control of the aircraft and prevent any damage.
This started as a normal pushback with standard calls. When established on Taxiway 1; at the point after forward motion had stopped; the Captain; having felt he should have heard the standard request to set the brakes; made several attempts to contact the push crew on the intercom. While he was making his third or fourth attempt to establish communications; I felt backwards motion and looked out to see that we were moving and the tug was not. I told the Captain we were not attached and moving. Simultaneously; the ground crew made a frantic transmission to set the brakes. We were already moving when we received this call. This was the first time we heard from them (within the disconnect sequence) and they did not communicate further. Captain set the parking brake and the aircraft stopped. The parking brake engaging caused a very minor jolt; it wasn't any more than a normal brake application. I would guess we moved about 2 [to] 3 ft. The push crew did not re-establish communications. I remember seeing the ramper hold up the bypass pin; but the Captain was never given the standard calls. He tried to raise them several times after we stopped the aircraft; but they did not reply. The crew walked away; we did not have the opportunity to discuss the event. The Captain did call operations to tell them what had occurred.
This event was the result of a total and complete disregard of standard pushback procedures from the tug driver. Our aircraft was cleared to push off Gate X; tail west on Taxiway 1 and to disconnect abeam Gate Y. When the push was complete and aircraft was abeam Gate Y; with no further movement from the tug; the Captain made multiple calls to the driver asking if he was ready for the parking brake. At about this same time; the F/O (First Officer) looked over the nose of the aircraft to see if he could signal anyone on the ground that the Captain was attempting to contact the tug driver. Just as the F/O recognized the aircraft appeared to be rolling backwards; the Tug Driver finally and frantically told the Captain to set the parking brake. The parking brake was set with a noticeable jolt as the aircraft came to a stop. Captain responded; 'Parking brake set pressure normal;' and was about to inquire if there are any issues with the tug or aircraft. Immediately afterwards; Captain received the 'aircraft safe to taxi' signal. The push crew arbitrarily DISCONNECTED the tug from the aircraft; and removed the NW BYPASS pin before any confirmation from the Captain the parking brake was SET. To recap; push crew never told Captain to 'set parking brake' until aircraft was rolling backward; push crew never verbalized 'Aircraft disconnected; by-pass pin removed.' Push crew went off headset without Captain instructing push crew to 'disconnect headset.' More concerning; the push crew display an obvious lack of concern about the sequence of events because both the tug and rest of the push crew abandoned the aircraft as quickly as possible.
More incidents for this aircraft family
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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