# NTSB CHI95LA170: Airbus Industrie A-320-211, N326US, St Paul, MN, June 3, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1995, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: St Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.88095, -93.200599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8809&lon=-93.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 115 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA170

## Probable cause

the captain's not maintaining crew/group coordination.  Factors were the captain's diverted attention and his not maintaining visual separation.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - crew/group coordination - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual separation - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE RECEIVED A PUSHBACK FROM THE GATE BY A TUG.  THE CAPTAIN MADE ONE COMMUNICATION WITH THE TUG ATTENDANT AND THEN BECAME INVOLVED IN A DISCUSSION WITH THE FIRST OFFICER REGARDING TAXI INSTRUCTIONS. WHEN HE LOOKED OUT FOR A WINGWALKER HE SAW NO ONE AND ASSUMED THAT THE TUG HAD DEPARTED AND THE PERVIOUS COMMUNICATION WAS CONFIRMATION OF THAT.  WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP THE AIRPLANE REALIZING THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD TAXIED INTO THE TUG.

## Factual narrative

On June 3, 1995, at 1130 central daylight time, an Airbus Industries A320-211, N326US, operating as Northwest Airlines Flight 115, collided with a tug on the ramp at the Minneapolis- St. Paul Airport resulting in substantial damage.  The crew of 7 and 108 passengers reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 121 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  An IFR flight plan was on file.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Orange County, California.

The Captain stated that after pushback from the gate he communicated with the pushback tug operator and then his attention was diverted to details inside the cockpit.  When he looked out in preparation to taxiing he did not see the wingwalker or tug and "assumed" that he had received a "waveoff."  As power was applied and the airplane began to move he heard a loud noise and applied the brakes to stop the airplane.  He then realized that he had collided with the pushback tug.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N326US](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N326US-2025-09-18), registration cancelled 2025-09-18, S/N 282, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Airbus Industrie A-320-211 (A320-211)
- Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A320-211](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a320-211) (registry code 3930320) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 282
- Airframe hours: 11164
- Engines: CFM CFM56-5-A1 25000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Northwest Airlines, doing business as Northwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 2, 1995
- Departed: MSP
- Destination: SNA, ORANGE COUNTY, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSP, Minneapolis/St. Paul

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,125 total, 2,383 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSP

## 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 19950603047969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950603047969A), Jun 3, 1995: Airbus A320211, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. (.4)The airplane received a pushback from the gate by a tug. The captain made one communication with the tug attendant and then became involved in a discussion…

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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