# NTSB CHI88FA233: Boeing 727-200, N729RW, Minneapolis, MN, September 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1988, 14:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.840553, -93.279434 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8406&lon=-93.2794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 71 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA233

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE CAPTAIN TO FOLLOW COMPANY PUSHBACK PROCEDURES AND NOT GETTING A RELEASE BEFORE STARTING TO TAXI.

## 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
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle
  - clearance - not maintained (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER PUSHBACK FROM THE JETWAY, THE AIRPLANE HIT A GROUND HANDLING VEHICLE (TUG) AS THE FLT CREW STARTED TO TAXI FOR TAKEOFF. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AFTER PUSHBACK, THE GROUND CREW INFORMED THE FLT CREW (VIA INTERCOM) THAT THE BYPASS PIN WAS REMOVED & THE STEERING WAS CONNECTED. THE GROUND CREWMAN ENDED THE CONVERSTATION BY STATING 'YOU GENTLEMEN HAVE A NICE TRIP, SEE YOU ANOTHER DAY.'  THE INTERCOM WAS DISCONNECTED & THE CAPTAIN STARTED TO TAXI, BEFORE RECEIVING A VISUAL SIGNAL FROM THE GROUND CREW & BEFORE THE TUG WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRPLANE'S PATH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE HIT THE TOP OF THE TUG & DAMAGED THE LOWER RIGHT PART OF THE FORWARD FUSELAGE (BELOW THE COCKPIT WINDOWS).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N729RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N729RW-2003-09-24), registration cancelled 2003-09-24, S/N 21742, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-200
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-2M7](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-2m7) (registry code 138407S) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21742
- Engines: P&W JT8D-17R 18000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Northwest Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: YWG, WINNIPEG,CANADA, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSP, Minneapolis/St.Paul Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880909069689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880909069689A), Sep 9, 1988: Boeing 727200, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. Captain started taxi without an all clear signal and struck the tug. Mistook disconnect and farwell for cleanance.

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.

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