Pilot Debrief

BOMBARDIER INC CL-600-2B19 near Detroit, MI — 2008-11-13

Final reportDCA09FA011
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Date
2008-11-13
Location
Detroit, MI, USA
Airport
DTW
Aircraft
BOMBARDIER INC CL-600-2B19
Registration
N8698A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

The lack of vigilance on the part of the ramp agent driving the baggage tug. Contributing factors include the night conditions, and low visibility due to fog and rain.

NTSB narrative

On November 14, 2008, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19 was involved in a collision during taxi with a ground tug with a small luggage cart attached. The tug driver received minor injuries but none of the 17 passengers, two pilots and 1 flight attendant were injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The weather at the time included a visibility of 4 miles in fog. It was dark with light rain at the time of the accident. The ramp agent driving the tug stated that the left side curtain of his tug was open and the right side was covered with a fabric zip-on cover with a clear plastic panel for a window. He had his windshield wipers on. He did not see any aircraft prior to the collision. As he proceeded across an intersecting taxiway, he heard airplane engines nearby, and was surprised. He remembered seeing a glimpse of an airplane fuselage immediately before hearing a loud "crunch" noise prior to impacting the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Ramp agent should have been more vigilant while driving the tug.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • CVR
  • FDR / data
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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