CRJ-900 air carrier crew reported uncommanded aircraft movement during engine start and pushback when the Captain became distracted and failed to set the parking brake. The aircraft rolled forward onto the tow bar; but no damage occurred
Synopsis
CRJ-900 air carrier crew reported uncommanded aircraft movement during engine start and pushback when the Captain became distracted and failed to set the parking brake. The aircraft rolled forward onto the tow bar; but no damage occurred
Narrative
Forgot to set brake for disconnect after push. After push and during starting engine number two; we received a 'R Start Abort' Caution message. I asked the ground crew to not disconnect as we may have an issue; and to standby. I pulled out the QRH and ran the procedure. After running the procedure; the number two engine started normally. At that point I instructed the push crew that they could disconnect. My attention at that point was focused on the FO starting engine number one as we had just received a fault on engine number 2. During that time I looked up to notice that the airplane was rolling forward and hit the tow-bar. I immediately pressed the brakes and set the parking brake. I motioned to the push crew to see if everyone was okay. They gave a signal that I presumed that everyone and everything was okay. The push crew then continued to pull back from the aircraft and gave the salute to taxi. Cause: The cause of the event was diverting from company SOP due to receiving a Caution message during the startup of engine number two. Normal procedure it to stay heads up; outside the aircraft. Once push has been completed; 'Set brakes; clear to disconnect.' When we got the Caution message my attention was diverted. And when I asked the push crew not to disconnect; I neglected to set the brakes as part of SOP. After we ran the QRH and I instructed the push crew to disconnect; my thought process was that I had already set the brakes as part of SOP. The added caution message event derailed me from my normal flow. Furthermore; my attention was diverted inside the aircraft during engine start number 1 because of the caution message received during engine start number one. Because of those two factors; I didn't immediately notice that the airplane had started to roll forward. Suggestions: Whenever an event grabs my attention and disrupts SOP; stop; go slow and return to the beginning of SOP to make sure everything was accomplished properly.
Second reporter narrative
Aircraft rolled forward after tow-bar disconnect due to parking brake not being set.Ground crew headset was not working; so the flight crew and push coordinator briefed face to face about using the OPs frequency for verbal communication during the pushback. During the push we were cleared to start engines verbally. Captain asked for the engine starts; right then left. During the right engine start; we received a R Start Abort" caution just as the tug came to a stop at the end of the push. The Captain advised the ground crew we had an engine issue and to remain connected. I confirmed the caution message and the Captain ran the QRH for a R Start Abort. After completing the QRH; the Captain asked for a second start attempt. I initiated the right engine start; and the engine completed its start cycle normally this time. I followed this with a left engine start. I believe hearing; during the left engine start; the Captain say to the tug-driver that we had one good engine start and they were good/clear to disconnect. I do not recall the exact phraseology he used. While watching the left engine start indication I noticed the driver waving his hands and give an over hand "X" or stop command. Noticing the airplane slowing rolling forward I yelled brakes and simultaneously applied the toe brakes. I'm not sure if my application or the Captain's brought the airplane to a stop but it seems we had rolled about 1-3 feet forward. At this time 2 ground personnel; one from each side of the nose wheel appeared moving in a forward and outward direction from the nose wheel in what appeared to be shock/surprise that the airplane was moving. I'm not certain to the position of the tow bar in relation the the tug or the aircraft as it is not is line of sight at this point. After the airplane came to a stop and the tug driver confirmed the brakes were set; the ground crew finished their duties under the nose and gave the all clear. The Captain asked and confirmed that no one was hurt or injured. As there were no indications that the airplane hit or ran into anything and only moved due to the parking brake not being set; we finished the checklists; and continued the flight.Cause: Failure to set the parking brake after the push due to the distraction or a "R Start Abort" caution message occurring during the pushback.Suggestions: I could have been more proactive/assertive in completing the required QRH for the start abort rather than allowing the Captain to do it. As we were at a complete stop and still attached to the towbar; I felt it wasn't a big deal that the Captain reached for the QRH and began the checklist. I feel this was a contributing factor as to why he forgot to set the parking brake.Even though I was in the middle of the Left engine start when he told the tug driver to disconnect; I cannot recall hearing "Parking Brake set; cleared to disconnect". Even as it isn't required for the FO to verify the brakes are engaged; we should have the natural tendency to double check; or verify; each others work and tasks. While we (the flight deck and the tug driver) did have 2 way communication through the use of his handheld radio and the ops frequency. I believe it was different enough from standard operations that the tug driver used hand signals to get our attention to the aircraft movement rather than the radio he was holding. I think if he had a standard headset it would have been second nature to just say what he saw."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.