2025-07 · NASA ASRS report 2265787
B767 flight crew reported receiving a radio call from the tug push back operator that the tow bar broke during push back. The Captain set the parking brake; had the nose gear inspected; then ramp crew installed a new tow bar and the push back was resumed.
Aircraft X pushed back from ZZZ gate XX in reverse along taxiway 1 until around spot XX when the push vehicle began to turn the aircraft around. The rate of push back slowed down abeam gate XY and the nose of Aircraft X began to move closer to gate XY as the push vehicle started its 180 degree turn to position Aircraft X on the spot. As Aircraft X continued to decelerate in the turn and with the nose of Aircraft X pointing at gate XY the push vehicle then changed steering direction which resulted in an audible 'clunk' and a physical 'bump' that was felt throughout the fuselage and the aircraft stopped came to a complete stop. Initially I waited for the tug operator to radio up to the flight deck what had happened so I gave him time to assess before I queried. After about 3 minutes of not hearing anything from the tug operator and seeing multiple ramp crew from gate XY Aircraft X as well as a ramp vehicle; I radioed down to the tug operator. I made 2 radio attempts both of which went unanswered. I then pushed the GND CALL button and the tug operator finally responded. He reported that the tow bar broke and he 'didn't want me to set the parking brake' because he wanted to 'preserve the scene'. I asked for clarification regarding the status of the tow bar and he confirmed that it did indeed break. I told him that this scenario was a breakaway event even though the aircraft was stopped and I had to set the parking brake. He agreed and the parking brake was set. An ELB (Electronic Logbook) maintenance report was submitted via ACARS for a broke tow bar during push back. Once a maintenance rep was on scene he asked Aircraft X to turn off all hydraulic systems so he could remove the bypass pin. After re-verifying the parking brake set with pressure normal; the hydraulic systems were shutdown and when maintenance removed the bypass pin another much less intense 'thump' was felt in the flight deck. Maintenance then directed to turn back on the hydraulic systems. The maintenance rep reported that he did not observe any physical damage to the nose gear and requested a full left and right application of the tiller to verify it was working properly. After running the tiller full throw both directions maintenance said they were satisfied the nose gear was not damaged and the ELB report was signed off and a new maintenance release received. A new tow bar was then installed and the push back was resumed without further incident.
During pushback from Gate XX in ZZZ. We were told to push to the top of the ally and disconnect at spot XX. During the pushback crews attempt to spin the A/C around in the ally. We heard a bang from what we assumed was the tow bar/nosegear area. We observed the pushback operation stop. However; we did not hear anything from the pushback crew. After about 90 seconds; the Capt. inquired about the our pushback progress. The tug driver then indicated that the tow bar had sheered. The Capt. asked if he should set the parking brake. The tug driver seemed a bit disoriented; and responded with No I have frozen the situation ". This was not standard phraseology; or anything we had heard in the past. The Capt. indicated to the tug driver that he was going to set the parking brake. At this point we observed a Maintenance rep that was performing a walk around on another aircraft. Walk over to see what was occurring. We called ZZZ ramp control; and advised them of the situation. At this point we were blocking the ally. We subsequently contacted local Maintenance control; and sent an ELB (Electronic Logbook) report. We also advised ZZZ ops of the situation; and of the non standard nature of the communication with the pushback crew. After about 15 minutes Maintenance indicated that there was no damage to the nose gear assembly. they also indicated that they would clear the write up; and send a new maintenance release. The flight continued uneventfully."
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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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