Ramp crew reported uncommanded aircraft movement after flight crew confirmed brakes set during pushback.
Synopsis
Ramp crew reported uncommanded aircraft movement after flight crew confirmed brakes set during pushback.
Narrative
I was sitting in passenger seat as we were in the process of a push/pull procedure out of Gate XX instructed by Tower to pilot to pull to [Taxiway] 1. We completed our push back as; Person A; push tractor driver comes to a full stop; he informs Captain to set brakes; and had to repeat himself 3 times. At this time; he says Captain had set his brakes as the nose gear indicator orange light come on confirming brakes were shown to be set. Person A gives the brakes set hand gesture to the wing walkers to put the X sign up for Captain to see from his side of the aircraft; wing walker Person B is in her correct position. At this time right wing walker Person C begins to disconnect the tow bar from the air craft and he pulls the bypass pin; that is when we notice the plane starts rolling forward as we are still under the aircraft. Person A begins to tell Captain aggressively on the headset yelling set brakes; set brakes. I jump off push tractor telling Person A to pull back more away from the aircraft; I quickly pull the headset cord and close the access panel so we all can get out of the way of this plane that is rolling towards us. At this point more rampers who were witnessing the event were also trying to get the Captain's attention to stop the aircraft and to set his brakes quickly. it appeared to us all that the Captain was not looking out of his window at this time and may not have been aware of the plane rolling as we were not out of the way of danger. When we were clear and out of the way; I displayed the bypass pin and gave the thumbs up. This incident could have had serious if not fatal consequences if not for our quick training kicking in when we need it the most. I thank God no one was hurt. The plane was moving after we disconnected the towbar.Cause: The Captain wasn't paying attention to us; should be looking at the wingwalker. I'm not sure if he even knew we had completed the pushback procedure as instructed at [Taxiway] 1.The Manager came to the gate; and said she had heard what had happened. After I spoke to the Supervisor; I was told to return to the airplane to give him a proper wave off. Suggestions: Triple confirm that the verbal communication is accurate; and that he's listening to us as we instruct him of what's going on below the wing.
Second reporter narrative
I was conducting a pushback and was told by the pilot to take them to [Taxiway] 1. Upon arriving to [Taxiway] 1 I told the pilot to set brakes. I again asked the pilot to set brakes and observed the light (brakes on) brakes set. I signaled to my wind walkers brakes set. Person C approached the front of the aircraft to disconnect the tow bar (also saw the light on) and my other wing walker Person B put up the X for the pilot to see. Upon disconnection of the tow bar I backed away from the aircraft and once away from the aircraft Person C started to remove audio connection when the aircraft began to move. I again over the mic in structed the pilot to set brakes as we were not clear.When the aircraft started moving forward.The event occurred because the pilot at no time was looking at according to my wing walkers was looking up.I quickly and safely got my crew and pushback tug clear of the aircraft.Suggestions: Have more pilot visual communication.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.