Ramp agent reported that aircraft they just pushed back began to taxi before personnel and equipment was clear. Agent and other ground personnel took evasive action to avoid aircraft.
Synopsis
Ramp agent reported that aircraft they just pushed back began to taxi before personnel and equipment was clear. Agent and other ground personnel took evasive action to avoid aircraft.
Narrative
I began to push out flight XX as we completed the push I communicated over the headset with the pilot 'breaks set clear to disconnect' which he responded with 'breaks set clear to disconnect and go to hand signals.' As policy and procedures we attempted to do the 1 step but had trouble disconnecting the tow bar. As the procedure states if you have issues with the 1 step go to the 2 step in which case we did. As we were in the process of hooking up the tow bar to the back of my tractor I noticed the plane started to roll. My signal man was holding the X the whole time indicating that the ground crew is still under the plane. In this case I immediately told my escort to get out of the way while I'm trying to remove the tractor that is in the path of the plane which it was rolling at. In the mix of scrambling trying to get out of the way I went on the headset and told the pilot to set brakes multiple times. With the plane rolling as far it did it resulted in my bungee cord snapping. With the incident I did go home early resulting from been shook up and not being in the right mindset.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.