2024-04 · NASA ASRS report 2104227
Air carrier crew reported a near collision with a ground vehicle while taxiing at night crossing an intersection on a service road. The Captain aggressively stopped the aircraft to avoid collision; which injured flight attendants.
After pushback and disconnect; we were given taxi instructions at the top of the alley to taxi runway XXL via 1. As we began taxi; ATC Ground asked us to give way and follow an aircraft so we stopped on Taxiway 2 to allow them to pass. After they had passed; we began our taxi forward. I verbally told the captain 'clear right' then looked left and saw a tug/truck towing trailers heading westbound; slow down and stop at the stop sign; then began to move again entering the 3 intersection. I alerted the Captain saying something like 'watch out Captain!' while gesturing toward the vehicle. The Captain saw the tug/truck at the same time I did and applied the brakes firmly to avoid a potential collision. The truck also came to a stop; then backed up. I heard a thud in the forward galley and heard a tray fall to the floor. After we had stopped; I believe the captain said something like 'what is this guy doing?' At that time; the tug/truck backed up out of the intersection. We then completed the turn eastbound onto taxiway 1; and the Captain informed ground control what had happened; who then contacted city ops to follow up with the driver. I called the Flight Attendants to check in and asked if they were ok. The Purser told me 'no; we are not ok' and that she had hit her head; another FA (Flight Attendant) had been 'thrown'; and that another FA in the forward galley had hit his arm and been hurt. I contacted ground with a return to gate request; then coordinated with ramp and operations; telling them what had happened; while the Captain made a PA to the passengers telling them what had happened and that we'd be returning to the gate. We taxied back to the gate without incident; parked the aircraft; and performed the parking checklist. At this point; the Captain left the cockpit to make another PA to the passengers; and to coordinate with in-flight and medical services when they arrived. During this time; I did my best to back up the captain in his communications and to coordinate with gate agents and operations. Both forward FAs seemed shaken. The one who had hit his arm was holding that arm; telling me that he could not feel some of his fingers. The second forward FA told me she had seen stars when she hit her head on the galley control panel. Operations met us in the jet bridge; facilitated the exit of the 3 FAs to get checked out with the medical team; and secured two more FAs so we could continue the flight. About 20-30 minutes later; they said that one of the FAs had timed out and was not legal. The flight was cancelled; and the Captain and I ferried the aircraft to ZZZ airport without incident.
Aircraft was positioned at the X Spot in the Alley in ZZZ. Crew received taxi clearance from ZZZ Ground Controller on to proceed behind another aircraft on Taxiway 1 to RWY XXR. Crew cleared both left and right prior to aircraft movement with Taxi Light ON. I (CA) noted that the left surface lane did have a truck towing 3 trailers begin to slow; as it approached the Stop Sign; I briefly glanced again to the right; as the aircraft passed. As I glanced back to the left I noted the truck had failed to fully stop and was now entering the intersection of alley and Taxiway Bravo. My FO (First Officer) yelled something to the effect of 'what the heck' as I simultaneously applied maximum braking to avoid hitting the truck that was now over 1/3 thru the intersection. I flashed all my landing lights and the truck immediately stopped and began to back up. I instructed Ground Controller about the incident. We continued the taxi onto Bravo and Stopped the aircraft and queried the condition of the FAs (Flight Attendants). At this time we were informed of 3 possible injuries. We requested an immediate return to the gate and requested medical services meet the aircraft at the gate. My FO contacted Ramp and requested immediate return to the gate.My FO also contact operations and informed them of the incident. They responded that a supervisor would meet the aircraft at the gate.We parked at the gate without further incidence. Once parking checklist was completed; CA performed a PA to the PAX explaining the situation without embellishment. The CA left the cockpit and checked on the FAs status. This is when I was informed that 1 aft FA was thrown against the galley wall and was complaint of back pain; that one forward FA had struck the side of her head but stated she was okay. The other forward FA indicated he had injured his arm and was experiencing numbness and uncontrollable spasms in the affect arm' fingers. This FA was holding his arm and exhibited signs of distress. I then meet the responding medical team; and operations Supervisor as well as the airport authorities and inflight Supervisor. It was immediately determined that we needed to deplane the aircraft at this time as the injuries forward galley FA was no longer on the aircraft; but being treated by medical; and we did not have the required FA compliment. I faced the passengers and reiterated the incident and to take all of their belongings as we were deplaning. I called the Chief Pilot and made him aware of the incident. I also ACARS the Dispatcher and later spoke to him via cell phone. The Purser whom had struck her headed repeatedly stated she did not wish to be seen by medical. I very politely but sternly advised her that was not advisable and to please be evaluated by medical. After some minutes she agreed to and all 3 FA were removed from the fight. In speaking with the Chief Pilot; operations Supervisor and inflight Supervisor and Dispatch that the flight crew was unhurt and could continue. Later after some 20-30 minutes our last uninsured FA timed out and we were unable to replace and the flight was cancelled. I went up to the gate and informed the passengers that due to injuries sustained by the 3 FAs that the decision had been made to cancel the flight. My FO later informed me that operations wanted us to ferry to aircraft to ZZZ airport for aircraft continuity and we did so without incidence.
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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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