# Accident 20051214029829A: Boeing 7272S2F, Memphis, TN, December 14, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 14, 2005, 03:05 local time
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Airport: Memphis International
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Other Ground Ops
- Operating rules: Air carrier (Part 121)
- Operator: FDEA
- Location: 35.0386° N, 89.9728° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0386&lon=-89.9728&mi=10
- Aircraft: N213FE, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N213FE-2014-05-05) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Boeing 727-2S2F (registry code 1384081, https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-2s2f) (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: BOEING 7272S2F
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL06LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06LA024) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20051214029829A

## Narrative

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

(-23) AIRCRAFT 213FE, A BOEING 727 OPERATED BY FEDERAL EXPRESS WAS POSITIONED ON GATE 600 AWAITING PUSHBACK. GATE 600 PUSHBACK REQUIRES THE TAIL TO BE TURNED EAST FOR A WEST TAXI. THE TUG OPERATOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALIGNING THE AIRCRAFT FOR DEPARTURE. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED (PUSH PHASE) THE JUNCTION LINE (INTERSECTION OF TAXIWAY CENTERLINE AND GATE ENTRANCE LINE), THE AIRCRAFT WAS STOPPED FACING, NOSE SOUTHWEST. THE TUG OPERATOR INITIATED THE TOW PROCESS BY SIGNALING TO HER CREW THAT SHE WAS READY TO PULL THE AIRCRAFT FORWARD TO ALIGN IT WITH THE TAXIWAY CENTERLINE. AT SOME POINT, THE SHEAR PINS FAILED BETWEEN THE NOSE GEAR ATTACHMENT HEAD AND BAR ASSEMBLY DURING EITHER THE PUSHBACK OR TOWING MODES OF OPERATION, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TUG AND AIRCRAFT COLLIDING. INITIAL CONTACT BETWEEN THE TWO VEHICLE AND AIRCRAFT OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TUG AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT BEHIND THE NOSE LANDING GEAR. DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT IS SUBSTANTIAL BETWEEN, STA.385 (RH SIDE) AND CONTINUES TO STA. 440 (LH SIDE) WITH GOUGES EXTENDING 3 TO 4 FEET AFT. DAMAGE WAS ALSO FOUND ON THE RH NOSE LANDING GEAR SHEEL. THE TUG DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO HER RIGHT SHOULDER, SEPARATED IN TWO PLACES AND A FRACTURED JAW.

## 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 ATL06LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL06LA024), Dec 14, 2005: Boeing 727-2S2F (N213FE), Memphis, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper towing of the airplane by the tug operator which resulted in the shearing of the towbar shear pin and subsequent collision of the airplane and tug.

## Other reports on N213FE (2)

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

- [Incident 19870724061979I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870724061979I), Jul 24, 1987: Boeing 7272S2F (N213FE), Anchorage, AK. During taxi into a parking spot power was added to complete a turn. Jet blast blew a C170 over.
- [Incident 19870602046659I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870602046659I), Jun 2, 1987: Boeing 7272S2F (N213FE), Albany, NY. Returned with overheat light in aft compartment. Replaced moisture separator socks.

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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