B737 flight crew reported the tug driver disconnected the tow bar without telling the pilots to set brakes and the aircraft rolled uncontrolled.

Date: 2024-10 · Aircraft: B737-800 · Phase: taxi

Anomalies: deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-event-encounter-ground-equipment-issue|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|ground-incursion-ramp

Synopsis

B737 flight crew reported the tug driver disconnected the tow bar without telling the pilots to set brakes and the aircraft rolled uncontrolled.

Narrative

The tug driver had trouble with his headset voice communication when he first checked on. He got his headset working and we pushed back using normal voice communication procedures. After push back was complete the tug driver was unable to get his head set working so there was no voice communication. The wing walker gave me the X (stop) signal but there was no voice communication; and no set brake hand signal. I waited for some signal to set the brakes. Either a hand signal or voice; but noting was communicated. While I waited for a signal to set the brakes; the tug driver attempted to disconnect the tow bar with my brakes not set. The aircraft lurched forward. It was then that the wing walker gave me the set brake hand signal. I set the brakes and the tug disconnected from the aircraft. This was extremely dangerous. Without any communication I couldn't just set the brakes. The tug driver should not attempt to disconnect the tow bar prior to confirming the brakes are set. Follow standard procedures.

Second reporter narrative

[Report narrative contained no additional information.]

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.