# Accident 20030912030559A: Doug DC951, Norfolk, VA, September 12, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 12, 2003, 19:22 local time
- Place: Norfolk, VA
- Airport: Norfolk International
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Other Ground Ops
- Operating rules: Air carrier (Part 121)
- Operator: NWAA
- Location: 36.8944° N, 76.2011° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8944&lon=-76.2011&mi=10
- Aircraft: N776NC, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N776NC-2018-12-06) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-51 (registry code 3022051, https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-51) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17 series (registry code 52049, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-17-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DOUG DC951
- People aboard: 41
- Fatal injuries: 1
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC03LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA199) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030912030559A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AT APPROXIMATELY 1922 LOCAL NORTHWEST AIRLINES FLIGHT NUMBER 1569, N776NC, A DC-9-51 AIRCRAFT, WAS STRUCK BY A TUG, WHICH FATALLY INJURED THE TUG OPERATOR. PASSENGERS WERE BOARDING THE AIRCRAFT AND THE CREW WAS PREPARING FOR PUSH BACK. A NORTHWEST EMPLOYEE WAS OPERATING THE TUG (OWNED BY NORTHWEST) FOR POSITIONING AND CONNECTION OF THE TOWBAR, WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER THE FLIGHT CREW COMPLETED THE PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST, THEY FELT A "THUMP" UNDER THE AIRCRAFT. SINCE NO COMMUNICAITON HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH THE GROUND CREW, THE FIRST OFFICER WENT OUT TO ASSESS THE SITUATION. THE FIRST OFFICER OBSERVED THAT THE TUG DRIVER WAS TRAPPED BETWEEN THE TUG AND THE AIRCRAFT. THE TUG WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE TOWBAR, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET. THE TUG WAS INSPECTED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND NO ANOMALIES WERE NOTED. THE ONLY OTHER GROUND CREWMAN WAS LOADING BAGGAGE AT THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT AND DID NOT SEE WHAT HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE TUG CONTACTING THE AIRCRAFT. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, RAMP VISIBILITY WAS LIMITED DUE TO A PENDING STORM. THE TUG OPERATOR WAS EXPERIENCED AND HAD COMPLETED THE REQUIRED COMPANY TRAINING. THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC03LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA199), Sep 12, 2003: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 (N776NC), Norfolk, VA, minor damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the airline ground person's failure to properly control the pushback tug, and her subsequent failure to maintain adequate clearance between the tug and the airplane. Factors contributing to the…

## Other reports on N776NC (5)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19991014033849I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991014033849I), Oct 14, 1999: Doug DC951 (N776NC), Chicago, IL, Minor damage. (-23) LH outboard main tire separated from aircraft after take-off. Inspection of tire indicated axle bolt had disengaged from axle threads. The landing gear…
- [Incident 19980103002669I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980103002669I), Jan 3, 1998: Doug DC951 (N776NC), Detroit, MI, No damage. Narrative: prior to pushback, ground personnel noticed smoke & fire coming from the right wheel well. The crew was notified and evacuation was initiated. All 4…
- [Incident 19890915048649I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890915048649I), Sep 15, 1989: Doug DC951 (N776NC), Detroit, MI, Minor damage. Struck a deer with right landing gear during landing rollout. Taxied to gate. Damaged gear and trailing edge flaps.
- [Incident 19820711037269I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820711037269I), Jul 11, 1982: Doug DC951 (N776NC), Denver, CO, Minor damage. Tread of right tire separated on departure. Continued to destination. Verified as isolated tire recap failure.
- [Incident 19800512090802I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800512090802I), May 12, 1980: Doug DC951 (N776NC), Chicago, IL, Minor damage. N68050 struck vertical stabilizer of aircraft while taxiing from ramp.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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