Final NTSB investigations

99 cases where the phase of flight was Pushback/towing.

Cases per year

19622026
Final NTSB investigations per year, 1962–2026: 99 cases
19821
19831
19851
19871
19882
19894
19911
19925
19942
19955
19962
19973
19983
19995
20004
20013
20024
20039
20043
20053
20063
20072
20088
20104
20117
20131
20143
20152
20161
20182
20193
20211

Latest cases

Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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.\"completionStatus\" = 'Completed'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM case_phases WHERE main = 200)
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB DCA22LA015Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportEmbraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR · Miami, FLAn abrupt jerk of the airplane as the captain applied the parking brake during the tow that caused a flight attendant to fall and break her wrist.Oct 23, 2021 · N252NN · No damageNTSB DCA19CA223Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBombardier CL 600 2C10 · Chicago OHare, ILthe tug driver's inability to maintain visual contact with the wing walkers and lack of situational awareness during pushback.Sep 11, 2019 · N710SK · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB DCA19CA102Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBombardier CL 600 2C10 · Charlotte, NCfailure of the ground crew to maintain visual separation and avoid the holding aircraft.Mar 10, 2019 · N530EA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB DCA19CA079Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportAirbus A320 · Denver, COloss of control of the tug by the driver during pushback operations as a result of the contaminated ramp, angle of the towbar, and the airplane engines being at idle thrust.Jan 28, 2019 · N220FR · Substantial damageNTSB DCA19CA035Accident · Minor injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBombardier CL 600 2B19 · New York, NYthe captain initiating a cross bleed start while under tow.Dec 1, 2018 · N202PS · Substantial damageNTSB DCA18CA272Accident · Serious injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportBoeing 757 · Philadelphia, PAThe ground service employee's inadvertent fall near the nose wheel during pushback.Aug 24, 2018 · EI-LBT · No damageNTSB DCA16CA207Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737 3H4 · Baltimore, MDthe tug operators excessive speed during pushback.Aug 5, 2016 · N368SW · Substantial damageNTSB CEN15IA337Incident · Minor injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Denver, COThe gate lead/pushback driver's failure to recognize that the provisioning truck was within the safety zone of the gate during his walkaround due to distractions, which resulted in the subsequent collision between the airplane and the truck. Contributing to…Aug 5, 2015 · N779SW · Minor damageNTSB ERA15IA206Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 525B · Teterboro, NJThe overstress fracture of the nose landing gear actuator (NLG) attachment lug during tow operations, which resulted in the collapse of the NLG.May 3, 2015 · N784JS · Minor damageNTSB DCA15CA012Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportEmbraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR · Minneapolis, MNthe B757 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the wingtip of the ERJ-170. Contributing to the accident was the positioning of the ERJ-170 by the Compass ground personnel.Oct 23, 2014 · N622CZ · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14LA430Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier CL600 2D24 - 900 · San Antonio, TXFailure of the tow bar shear pin, which resulted in the tug operator’s loss of control of the airplane during pushback operations. Contributing to the accident was the tug operator’s inability to communicate to the flight crew to apply the airplane’s brakes.Aug 9, 2014 · N943LR · Substantial damageNTSB DCA14CA093Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD90 - 30 · Boston, MAthe captain's failure to verify the communications between himself and the tug operator, which resulted in him applying of brakes while the airplane was being pushed back from the gate by the tug with tow bar attached.May 12, 2014 · N933DN · Substantial damageNTSB WPR13IA226Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Phoenix, AZThe failure of the tug operator and wing walker to adequately monitor the environment during pushback of the airplane from the gate in preparation for flight, which led to the collision of the airplane with an adjacently parked airplane.May 10, 2013 · N913WN · Minor damageNTSB CEN12IA123Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Denver, COThe snowplow operator’s incapacitation due to fatigue, which resulted in the snowplow contacting a parked airplane. Contributing to the incident was the company’s lack of a policy regarding employee fatigue.Dec 22, 2011 · N469WN · Minor damageNTSB ERA12CA038Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas MD-88 · Atlanta, GAThe tug driver's inadequate control of the tug while maneuvering the airplane during pushback.Oct 7, 2011 · N922DL · Substantial damageNTSB DCA11CA073Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 757-222 · San Fransico, CAThe ramp personnel's failure to visually verify the position of the jetway before beginning the airplane pushback.Jun 12, 2011 · N571UA · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11LA300Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-222 · Los Angeles, CAThe ground crewmembers’ failure to follow proper procedures for removing a stuck or jammed tow bar, which resulted in a ground crew injury.May 31, 2011 · N526UA · Minor damageNTSB ERA11LA266Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAirbus A330-323 · New York, NYThe flight attendant's inadvertent fall, which resulted in a serious injury.Apr 25, 2011 · N807NW · No damageNTSB CEN11IA270Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135KL · Dubuque, IAThe airport authorities' improper decision to deactivate the jet bridge braking system which created an unsafe condition by the gate agents not being able to stop the bridge from impacting the airplane during a wind gust.Apr 3, 2011 · N377SK · Minor damageNTSB CEN11IA198Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-823 · Southlake, TXThe tractor driver’s failure to confirm that the tow bar head/handle was secured correctly to the airplane.Feb 21, 2011 · N945AN · Minor damageNTSB DCA11CA014Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Philadelphia, PAthe failure of the ground operations personnel to maintain awareness of the relative position of the two airplanes.Dec 18, 2010 · N913WN · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB WPR11LA058Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Salt Lake City, UTThe tug driver’s loss of airplane control during pushback due to a loss of traction in slippery conditions on the ramp. Contributing to the accident was the ground crews’ and airline operators’ inadequate guidance with regard to pushback procedures during low…Nov 24, 2010 · N614SK · Substantial damageNTSB WPR10FA199Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-3H4 · Los Angeles, CAThe tug operator’s failure to comply with company procedures when parking an unoccupied baggage tug, and the failure of the tug’s seat switch to disengage the electric motor when weight was removed from the driver’s seat.Apr 10, 2010 · N624SW · Substantial damageNTSB ENG10IA016Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportDouglas DC8 · Cincinnati (CVG), OHFailure of the NLG cylinder occurred by intergranular rupture; coincidental to a chrome plating crack. The failure origin occurred along the inner surface of the cylinder and then propagated by stress corrosion cracking to the outer surface. A secondary crack…Jan 7, 2010 · N803DH · Minor damageNTSB DCA09FA025Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB145 · New York, NYThe tug driver's failure to comply with ramp safety procedures.Dec 31, 2008 · N844MJ · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09FA068Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-351 · Seattle, WAThe failure of the tug operator and wing walker of the other airplane to maintain clearance with this aircraft during the pushback process in dark night. Also causal was the ramp controller's misinterpretation of the other airplane's gate location and her…Dec 28, 2008 · N585NW · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB DCA09FA022Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83 · Los Angeles Intl Airport, CAThe first officer's unannounced advancement of the left engine throttle, which led to a sustained application of high thrust that caused the airplane to impact the tug.Dec 26, 2008 · N9617R · Substantial damageNTSB WPR09IA065Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-890 · Seattle, WAThe failure of the deicing crew to follow company procedures by not receiving confirmation from the flight crew before beginning to deice the airplane.Dec 24, 2008 · N516AS · No damageNTSB WPR09IA033Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-700 · Salt Lake City, UTThe tug driver's failure to maintain situational awareness during the push back operation.Nov 7, 2008 · N254WN · Minor damageNTSB NYC08LA234Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · Charlotte, NCThe tugdriver and wing walker's lack of communication and the tugdriver's failure to properly monitor the wing walker. Contributing to the accident was the lightning in the vicinity of the airport, which resulted in the ground crewmembers not wearing headsets.Jun 28, 2008 · N725PS · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB ENG08IA051Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737 · Phoenix (PHX), AZThe failure of the MLG was due to cracking in the cylinder wall resulting from a fatigue mechanism which initiated at, and near the inner diameter (ID) surface, with propagation through the wall toward the outer diameter(OD) surface. Crack initiation was due…Jun 27, 2008 · N514AU · Minor damageNTSB SEA08LA061Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBombardier CL-600-2C10 · San Francisco, CAThe company tug operator's failure to maintain clearance with another aircraft during the pushback process. Also causal was the ground controller's failure to alert the pilot of the other aircraft and tug operator of this airplane of the simultaneous pushback…Jan 14, 2008 · N705SK · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB MIA07CA119Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportBoeing 777-232 · Atlanta, GAThe flight attendant's inadvertent misstep on a ladder and falling during pushback resulting in serious injuries.Jul 12, 2007 · N865DA · No damageNTSB LAX07LA189Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 757-24APF · Burbank, CAThe tow tractor driver's and mechanic's diverted attention resulting in the airplane rolling over the mechanic's foot. Also causal was the mechanic's failure to maintain clearance from the nose landing gear.Apr 24, 2007 · N402UP · No damageNTSB NYC06IA207Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-524 · Newark, NJAn overload failure of the airplane's nose landing gear while being towed for repositioning.Aug 21, 2006 · N14655 · Minor damageNTSB NYC06FA184Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-300 · Pittsburgh, PAThe airplane tug driver's inadvertent movement of the tug gear shift lever from forward to reverse, which resulted in the nose landing gear collapse. Contributing to the accident was the defective gear shift lever.Jul 27, 2006 · N529AU · Substantial damageNTSB NYC06LA191Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135LR · Newark, NJThe captain's failure to follow company procedures, which resulted in pushback with the parking brake set. A factor was the larger than preferred tug.Jul 24, 2006 · N703MR · Substantial damageNTSB ATL06LA024Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 727-2S2F · Memphis, TNThe 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.Dec 14, 2005 · N213FE · Substantial damageNTSB CHI05LA179Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 737-7H4 · Chicago, ILThe pushback tow driver not maintaining visual lookout for the wing walker's visual signal, and the driver not maintaining clearance from the vehicle during the pushback for taxi. Factors to the accident were the standing vehicle behind the airplane, the…Jul 8, 2005 · N494WN · Substantial damageNTSB DEN05IA084Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportde Havilland DHC-8-202 · Denver, COThe improper procedures conducted by the ground personnel and the flight crew's failure to coordinate procedures with the ground personnel during push back operation which resulted in the collision between the ground support vehicle and the airplane. A…May 30, 2005 · N454YV · No damageNTSB NYC05LA038Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonnell Douglas MD-82 · Providence, RIThe vehicle driver's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a collision with the airplane during push-back. A factor was the icy ramp area.Dec 20, 2004 · N402A · Substantial damageNTSB DFW05LA010Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSaab-Scania SF-340B · Fort Worth, TXThe ground personnel's failure to maintain clearance from the propeller. Contributing factors were the ground personnel's failure to comply with procedures/directives and the ground personnel's failure to properly use equipment.Oct 25, 2004 · N376AE · No damageNTSB CHI04LA077Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSaab-Scania Saab 340B · Romulus, MIThe visual lookout not maintained and the procedures not followed by the Push Tug Operator during the pushback. Factors were the parked airplane, the dark night, and the inadequate surveillance of the pushback by airline management.Feb 25, 2004 · N420XJ · Substantial damageNTSB ATL04LA053Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCanadair CL-600-2B19 · Miami, FLThe tug operator's loss of control and his failure to maintain clearance from the aircraft during pushback operations.Dec 15, 2003 · N445AW · Substantial damageNTSB LAX04LA007Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 777-22B · San Francisco, CAthe failure of the taxiing Boeing 777's flight crew to maintain clearance from a Boeing 777 that was being pushed back from the gate. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the local ramp controller to caution either aircrew of a possible movement…Oct 7, 2003 · N222UA · 2 aircraft · Substantial damageNTSB NYC03LA208Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135 · Flushing, NYThe inadequate visual lookout by the driver of a ground vehicle, and by ground support personnel, which resulted in a subsequent collision between the airplane and ground vehicle. A factor related to the accident was the failure of the pilot-in-command and…Sep 27, 2003 · N733KR · Substantial damageNTSB LAX03LA295Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportde Havilland DH-8-202 · Phoenix, AZthe ground agent's inadequate visual lookout during push back, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance between the airplanes.Sep 21, 2003 · N455YV · Substantial damageNTSB NYC03FA186Accident · No injuriesField investigationFinal reportMcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82 · Jamaica, NYA fractured nose gear spray deflector due to contact with a tow bar during pushback, which subsequently jammed and prevented nose gear extension during landing. A factor in this accident was the tow operator's failure to detect the damaged spray deflector.Sep 2, 2003 · N454AA · Substantial damageNTSB ATL03LA124Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBoeing 717-200 · Atlanta, GAThe failure of the ground crew to follow powerback procedures and directives.Aug 1, 2003 · N970AT · Substantial damageNTSB NYC03LA135Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEmbraer EMB-135-KL · Boston, MAThe tug driver's failure to maintain directional control of the tug, which caused the tug to impact the airplane.Jun 24, 2003 · N839AE · Substantial damage