Pilot Debrief

BOEING 737-823 near Southlake, TX — 2011-02-21

Final reportCEN11IA198
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Date
2011-02-21
Location
Southlake, TX, USA
Airport
DFW
Aircraft
BOEING 737-823
Registration
N945AN
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The tractor driver’s failure to confirm that the tow bar head/handle was secured correctly to the airplane.

NTSB narrative

The Boeing 737-823 was being pushed back from its gate when the tow bar separated from the nose gear. The airplane rolled backwards and the right wing tip struck the nose of a parked DC-9. The tractor driver said the tow bar was already attached to the aircraft when he arrived. He said that he attached the other end of the tow bar to the tractor. The driver said that prior to push back, he checked the tow bar and ascertained that the bypass pin was in place and the tow bar wheels were fully retracted. Examination of the tow bar revealed no mechanical failures or abnormalities.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Tow bar separation during pushback could have been prevented with better checks.

NTSB coding

  • Ground collision · Pushback/towing

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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