# NTSB ATL03LA124: Boeing 717-200, N970AT, Atlanta, GA, August 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 2003, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.640277, -84.42694 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6403&lon=-84.4269&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 118 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57683 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57683/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA124 ## Probable cause The failure of the ground crew to follow powerback procedures and directives. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - pushback/tow - object - vehicle - procedures/directives - not followed, ground personnel (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the captain, after receiving permission from the ramp tower to commence the power-back, he indicated to the marshaller he was cleared for the power-back. During the power-back while lining up parallel with the north-south taxi line the captain felt a loud thump on the left side of the airplane. During the power-back turn a baggage tug was observed moving behind the airplane. The marshaller observed the tug driver getting jet blasted and one of the carts lying on the ground. The left wing walker, observed the tug driver come to a complete stop in the neutral area. The wing walker motioned the tug driver cross behind the airplane before the marshaller began the power-back. The tug driver pointed at his tug as if something had gone wrong, and the airplane collided with the baggage cart. The tug driver, observed the wing walker clear the tug to pass behind the airplane. As the tug driver proceeded slowly behind the airplane, the tug driver saw the trailing edge of the airplane coming towards him. In an attempt to speed up to avoid the airplane, the wingtip of the airplane struck the forth cart knocking it off of the transporter. Examination of the left wing revealed, the trailing edge of the aileron and wingtip were buckled. Review of the Airtran Standard Practice Flight Crew Powerback procedures, General Guidelines 6719.3, Part (D) states: It is the responsibility of the ground crew to ensure that the ramp area is clear of foreign objects and conflicting traffic before and during powerback. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 2003, at 1510 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 717-200, N970AT, operating as flight 460, registered to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee and operated by Airtran Airways Incorporated, collided with a baggage cart during powerback at Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia. The domestic passenger flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 121 with an instrument flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport rated captain, airline transport rated first officer, three flight attendants, and 116 passengers were uninjured. The flight was originating from Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia at the time of the accident. According to the captain, after receiving permission from the ramp tower to commence the power-back, he flashed the taxi lights to the marshaller indicating he was cleared for the power-back. During the power-back while lining up parallel with the north-south taxi line the captain felt a loud thump on the left side of the airplane. The marshaller then gave the signal to stop the airplane. According to the marshaller, he gave the captain the signal to begin the power-back. During the power-back turn a baggage tug was observed moving behind the airplane. After the turn was complete, the marshaller observed the tug driver getting jet blasted and one of the carts lying on the ground. The stop signal was given and the airplane came to a complete stop. According to the left wing walker, the tug driver had come to a complete stop in the neutral area. The wing walker motioned the tug driver cross before the marshaller began the powerback. The tug driver pointed at his tug as if something had gone wrong, and the airplane collided with the baggage cart. According to the tug driver, the wing walker cleared the tug to pass behind the airplane. The tug driver proceeded to cross the taxiway behind the airplane. As the tug driver proceeded slowly behind the airplane, the tug driver saw the trailing edge of the airplane coming towards him. He sped up in an attempt to avoid the airplane, and the wingtip of the airplane struck the forth cart knocking it off of the transporter. Examination of the left wing revealed, the tailing edge of the aileron and wingtip were buckled. Review of the Airtran Standard Practice Flight Crew Powerback procedures, General Guidelines 6719.3, Part (D) states: It is the responsibility of the ground crew to ensure that the ramp area is clear of foreign objects and conflicting traffic before and during powerback. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N970AT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N970AT), registered now, S/N 55031, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 717-200 - Registry model: [Boeing 717-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-717-200) (registry code 1383700) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce BR-700 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-br-700-series) (registry code 54565, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55031 - Airframe hours: 4973 - Engines: Rolls-Royce BR715-A2-30 18500 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Airtran Airways Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 14, 2003, 422 hours before - Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA - Destination: BWI, BALTIMORE, MD - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ATL, The William B Hartsfield Atlan ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 3,434 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 42; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: ATL ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030801020079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030801020079A), Aug 1, 2003: Boeing 717200, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 1st, 2003 during a powerback from gate 17A (1512 hours) by an airtran airways aircraft N970AT, a B-717-200. The left wing tip trailing edge and… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.