# NTSB CHI00FA244: Boeing 727-264, N764AT, Chicago, IL, August 16, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 2000, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.78078, -87.770988 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7808&lon=-87.7710&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 105 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI00FA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50058/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00FA244 ## Probable cause the fractured tow bar and the inadequate weld of the tow bar by an unknown person. ## 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 - misc eqpt/furnishings,tow bar - fractured (cause) - material inadequate, unknown (cause) ## Analysis The tow bar fractured through a weld on a tow bar during the pushback of a Boeing 727. Weld material remained partially attached at both ends of the separation and in some locations the weld was not attached to its adjoining surface. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2000, at 1140 central daylight time, a Boeing 727-264, N764AT, operated by American Trans Air as flight 253, was substantially damaged during pushback at the Midway Airport, Chicago, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 121 scheduled domestic passenger flight was operating on a flight plan. The 3 crew members, 4 flight attendants and 98 passengers aboard the aircraft reported no injuries. The driver of the pushback tractor reported no injuries. The flight was destined to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Dallas, Texas and was originating at the time of the accident. The driver of the pushback tractor reported that when he applied the brakes to the tractor, the steering wheel "jumped" in his hands and the tractor veered to the right. The tow bar subsequently fractured at the location of a weld and the aircraft impacted the tractor's mirror. Inspection of the tow bar revealed that the fracture occurred within the weld material with some of the weld material still attached to the tow bar. Photos of the tow bar are included in this report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N764AT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N764AT-2010-07-21), registration cancelled 2010-07-21, S/N 22984, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 727-264 - Registry model: [Boeing 727-264](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-264) (registry code 138408M) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-17 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-17-series) (registry code 52049, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22984 - Airframe hours: 49819 - Engines: P&W JT8D-17 SER 16000 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: American Trans Air - Registered owner: First Security Bank - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 17, 2000, 219 hours before - Departed: MDW - Destination: DFW, DALLAS, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MDW, Chicago Midway ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,407 total, 2,654 in this make and model, 4,777 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 21° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 162 °F, dew point 131 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MDW ## 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 20000816043069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000816043069A), Aug 16, 2000: Boeing 727264, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) American trans air, inc. flight 253 was a scheduled passenger flight from Chicago Midway Airport (mdw) to the dallas-ft. worth airport (dfw) on August… ## Other investigations on N764AT (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 MIA95LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA196), Aug 6, 1995: Boeing 727-264 (N764AT), Orlando, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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. 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.