# NTSB investigations: Pushback/towing

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 3 of 3 · 133 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB LAX99LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA322.md): Boeing 757-2G7 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 1999 · N910AW · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the flight crew and the tug driver to verify that the aircraft was properly configured for pushback. Factors in the accident were the left wing walker's failure to notify the tug driver of his observations that the jet bridge was still in…
- [NTSB NYC99LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA127.md): Boeing 727 · Sterling, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 28, 1999 · N282SC · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate visual lookout by the tug operator. A factor in this accident was inadequate pushback procedures by the airline which failed to provide proper assistance (wing walkers) to the tug operator.
- [NTSB DEN99LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA027.md): Boeing 727-233 · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 22, 1998 · N269FE · Substantial damage
  > Snow removal not done by other person.
- [NTSB FTW98FA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98FA273.md): Boeing 737-322 · Denver, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 1998 · N364UA · Substantial damage
  > Inadequate visual lookout by ground personnel (tug operator). Factors include failure of the airline to provide proper assistance (wing walkers) to the tug operator, and inadequate pushback procedures by the airline; inattention of the catering truck driver,…
- [NTSB MIA98LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA98LA124.md): Douglas DC-10-10F · Memphis, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 1998 · N68053 · Substantial damage
  > The tug operator's (maintenance representative) inadequate visual lookout during pushback.
- [NTSB CHI98LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA058.md): McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50 · Memphis, TN · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1997 · N774NC · No damage
  > the flight attendant lost his balance during pushback and struck his head on a galley door.
- [NTSB NYC97LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA129.md): Lockheed L-1011-385-1 · Covington, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 1997 · N723DA · No damage
  > the failure of the primary and secondary elevator driveshafts, and the failure of maintenance personnel to detect the failure of the primary shaft during scheduled inspections.
- [NTSB NYC97LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA064.md): Lockheed L-1011 · Jamaica, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 1997 · N762DA · No damage
  > The failure of the right wing walker, also the push back supervisor, to identify and avoid a hazardous condition, which resulted in his activity near the airplane's nose wheel during tow operations, and where he was subsequently caught under the nose wheel. A…
- [NTSB LAX97LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA073.md): McDonnell Douglas DC-10-15 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 23, 1996 · N151SY · No damage
  > the ramp agent's failure to maintain a good situational awareness of the push-back. A factor was the dark night lighting conditions and the general communication failure of the ground push-back crew.
- [NTSB LAX96LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA222.md): Boeing 737-322 · San Francisco, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 7, 1996 · N371UA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > inadequate visual lookout by the United Airlines tug driver during the pushback operation. Contributing factors were: the driver's reduced ability to observe the American B-767 due to the nighttime condition, and United Airlines management's failure to ensure…
- [NTSB MIA95LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA218.md): Boeing 737-4Q8 · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 1995 · N405KW · Substantial damage
  > Improper planning/decision by the company driver of the vehicle (paymover) and uncommanded movement of the paymover for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB MIA95LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA196.md): Boeing 727-264 · Orlando, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1995 · N764AT · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the ground crew to follow procedures/directives requiring that the airplane brakes be set before disconnecting the tow bar from the airplane.
- [NTSB MIA95LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA135.md): Boeing 727-232 · West Palm Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 24, 1995 · N489DA · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the ground pushback crew to follow delta airlines pushback procedures and place a signalman forward of the aircraft in view of the captain during pushback. This resulted in the captain not being aware that the tug tow bar had disconnected and…
- [NTSB MIA95LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA086.md): Lockheed L-1011-385 · San Juan, PR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 12, 1995 · N724DA · 2 aircraft · Minor damage
  > The tug operator of another airplane commencing pushback procedures without clearance to do so from the dispatching agent, resulting in an on-ground collision between both airplanes.
- [NTSB ATL95LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA038.md): Douglas DC-9-32 · Memphis, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 10, 1995 · N922VV · Substantial damage
  > The ground personnel's improper handling of the aircraft while in tow, and the operator's failure to provide sufficient requirements for this situation.
- [NTSB LAX94LA357](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA357.md): Canadair CL600 · Burbank, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1994 · N403SW · Substantial damage
  > the ground crew's failure to follow company procedures. The failure of the operator to provide headsets to communicate with the flightcrew and the poor lighting conditions were factors in this accident.
- [NTSB LAX94LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA333.md): Boeing 757-200 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 19, 1994 · N901AW · No damage
  > the failure of the headset operator to adhere to established company safety procedures when he diverted his attention during pushback. A factor in the accident was the airline's failure to modify its ground handling procedures and equipment to eliminate the…
- [NTSB NYC93LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA040.md): Boeing 737-300LR · Flushing, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 8, 1992 · N516AU · No damage
  > A lack of adequate clearance between the walker and tug which resulted in the walker being struck by the tug when he fell for unknown reason(s). A factor related to the accident was the lack of a policy to stay clear of the tug, towbar, and nosewheel of the…
- [NTSB ATL93LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA024.md): Boeing 757-232 · Atlanta, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 13, 1992 · N619DL · No damage
  > The inadequate procedures and training of ground personnel involved in the aircraft push back operations by company management.
- [NTSB LAX92LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA336.md): Boeing 737-200 · San Francisco, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1992 · N9010U · No damage
  > The improper installation of the towbar. Contributing to the accident was a disconnected tow bar during push back.
- [NTSB FTW92LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA100.md): Boeing 757-223 · Hayden, CO · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 27, 1992 · N615AM · No damage
  > Failure of the ground personnel to follow published procedures/directives. A factor was the inadequate equipment.
- [NTSB LAX92LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA147.md): Boeing 757-222 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 21, 1992 · N519UA · No damage
  > The ground guide's failure to follow established procedures and his improper visual lookout by failing to remain clear of the nose gear during the push back operation.
- [NTSB CHI91IA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91IA073.md): British Aerospace 146-200 · Chicago, IL · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Jan 18, 1991 · N608AW · Minor damage
  > Company procedures and directives not being followed by ground personnel. A factor associated with the accident is complacency by company/operator management.
- [NTSB LAX90LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA021.md): Boeing 757-2S7 · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1989 · N902AW · No damage
  > The ground handler improperly crossing under the aircraft while it was moving.
- [NTSB MIA90FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA008.md): Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31 · Orlando, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 1989 · N958VJ · No damage
  > Inadequate weather evaluation and inadequate supervision of the ground guide (mechanic) by company/operator/management personnel, failure of the ground guide to follow safety procedures, and the weather condition (lightning).
- [NTSB MIA89FA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA194.md): Airbus Industrie A-300 · San Juan, PR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 12, 1989 · N7062A · No damage
  > Failure of the ramp guide (ground personnel) to follow normal safety procedures. His over confidence in his personal ability was considered to be a contributing factor.
- [NTSB DEN89IA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89IA124.md): Boeing 727-247 · Denver, CO · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · May 24, 1989 · N296WA · Minor damage
  > Failure of the left main landing gear forward trunnion bearing support fitting due to a crack initiating at the forward edge of the bore and propagating by intergranular stress corrosion into the bore surface that resulted in an eventual ductile fracture.
- [NTSB CHI88FA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA233.md): Boeing 727-200 · Minneapolis, MN · Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 1988 · N729RW · Substantial damage
  > Failure of the captain to follow company pushback procedures and not getting a release before starting to taxi.
- [NTSB SEA88IA074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88IA074.md): Boeing 727-290 · Portland, OR · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 13, 1988 · N291AS · Minor damage
  > The Boeing 727 was pushed back fm the gate counterclockwise through an arc of 90 degrees resulting in mispositioning the acft relative to the intended taxi direction. The ground crew (tug and safety operators) attempted to resolve the out of position…
- [NTSB NYC87LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA108.md): Boeing 727 · Burlington, VT · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 10, 1987 · N780AL · Substantial damage
  > In preparation for powering away from the gate, one groundman was stationed off the left nose of the acft and another was positioned by the left wing tip. The plt advanced the throttles and initiated a right turn. The throttles were brought back to idle…
- [NTSB LAX86IA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86IA021.md): Boeing 727-200 · Oakland, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1985 · N6815A · Minor damage
  > On October 24, 1985, an American airlines 727 collided with a parked united airlines 727 during a power back operation at Oakland, CA. IMC existed at the time with visibility limited to 0 ft due to fog. The aa ac sustained minor damage to its left wing and…
- [NTSB LAX84IA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84IA040.md): Boeing 767 · San Francisco, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Nov 2, 1983 · N605TW · Minor damage
  > During pushback the right wingtip of the Boeing 767 struck the rudder of a Douglas DC-9 parked at the adjacent gate. The B-767 was being pushed back by two mechanics, one on thetug & one under the left wing.
- [NTSB LAX82FA195](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA195.md): Douglas DC10-10 · San Francisco, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report · May 27, 1982 · N1833U · Substantial damage
  > During the initial pushback from the gate prior to eng start a loud noise was heard & the acft nose slowly settled onto the tug that was performing the pushback. The captain ordered the acft evacuated using the emergency slides. The upper jaw of the towbar…

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
WITH phase_names(main, name) AS (VALUES (100, 'Prior to flight'), (150, 'Standing'), (200, 'Pushback/towing'), (250, 'Taxi'), (300, 'Takeoff'), (350, 'Initial climb'), (400, 'Enroute'), (450, 'Maneuvering'), (500, 'Approach'), (550, 'Landing'), (600, 'Emergency descent'), (650, 'Uncontrolled descent'), (700, 'Post-impact'), (750, 'After landing'), (800, 'Other'), (990, 'Unknown')),
  crosswalk(code, main, name) AS (VALUES (500, 150, 'Standing'), (501, 150, 'Standing - pre-flight'), (502, 150, 'Standing - starting engine(s)'), (503, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) operating'), (504, 150, 'Standing - engine(s) not operating'), (505, 150, 'Standing - idling rotors'), (510, 250, 'Taxi'), (511, 200, 'Taxi - pushback/tow'), (512, 250, 'Taxi - to takeoff'), (513, 250, 'Taxi - from landing'), (514, 250, 'Taxi - aerial'), (520, 300, 'Takeoff'), (521, 300, 'Takeoff - roll/run'), (522, 350, 'Takeoff - initial climb'), (523, 300, 'Takeoff - aborted'), (530, 400, 'Climb'), (531, 400, 'Climb - to cruise'), (540, 400, 'Cruise'), (541, 400, 'Cruise - normal'), (542, 400, 'Maneuvering - holding (IFR)'), (550, 400, 'Descent'), (551, 400, 'Descent - normal'), (552, 600, 'Descent - emergency'), (553, 650, 'Descent - uncontrolled'), (560, 500, 'Approach'), (561, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - downwind'), (562, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base turn'), (563, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - base leg/base to final'), (564, 500, 'Approach - VFR pattern - final approach'), (565, 500, 'Go-around (VFR)'), (566, 500, 'Approach - IAF to FAF/outer marker (IFR)'), (567, 500, 'Approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)'), (568, 500, 'Circling (IFR)'), (569, 500, 'Missed approach (IFR)'), (570, 550, 'Landing'), (571, 550, 'Landing - flare/touchdown'), (572, 550, 'Landing - roll'), (573, 550, 'Landing - aborted'), (574, 550, 'Emergency landing'), (575, 550, 'Emergency landing after takeoff'), (576, 600, 'Emergency descent/landing'), (580, 450, 'Maneuvering'), (581, 450, 'Maneuvering - aerial application'), (582, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to reverse direction'), (583, 450, 'Maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)'), (590, 450, 'Hover'), (591, 450, 'Hover - in ground effect'), (592, 450, 'Hover - out of ground effect'), (600, 800, 'Other'), (610, 990, 'Unknown')),
  current_codes AS (
    SELECT e.case_mkey, TRY_CAST(e."tier1Number" AS INTEGER) AS code,
      row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY e.case_mkey ORDER BY coalesce(e."isDefiningEvent", false) DESC, e.position) AS n
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e
    WHERE e.aircrafts_position = 1 AND e."tier1Number" GLOB '[1-9][0-9]*'
      AND (e."isDefiningEvent" OR e.case_mkey IN (SELECT "mKey" FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' WHERE "isPre1982"))
  ),
  phases AS (
    SELECT case_mkey, 'current' AS scheme, code, CASE WHEN code >= 990 THEN 990 ELSE code // 50 * 50 END AS main
    FROM current_codes WHERE n = 1
    UNION ALL
    SELECT o.case_mkey, 'older', o."phaseOfFlightCode", w.main
    FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o JOIN crosswalk w ON w.code = o."phaseOfFlightCode"
    WHERE o.aircrafts_position = 1 AND o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o.case_mkey NOT IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM current_codes)
  ),
  case_phases AS (
    SELECT p.*, c."eventDate", c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' AS fatal, a.aircraft_model_code
    FROM phases p JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c."mKey" = p.case_mkey
    LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = p.case_mkey AND a.position = 1
    WHERE c."eventDate" >= DATE '1962-01-01' AND p.main IN (SELECT main FROM phase_names)
  )
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 200)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200/cases?page=3

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