# NTSB ERA12CA038: Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, N922DL, Atlanta, GA, October 7, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2011, 07:26 local (11:26 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.635276, -84.42028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6353&lon=-84.4203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Pushback/towing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 81 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Delta CMU - NTSB case key (mKey): 82098 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82098/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82098 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA038 ## Probable cause The tug driver's inadequate control of the tug while maneuvering the airplane during pushback. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Towing and taxiing: towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010910): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010910/cases.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010910/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Pushback/towing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the tug driver, during pushback of the airplane from the gate, he turned the airplane early in order to avoid an airplane at an adjacent gate. He further stated that he did not straighten the tug in time, and it impacted the left side of the airplane he was pushing, which resulted in substantial damage to airplane's nose landing gear support beam and a puncture in the pressure vessel. According to the pilot of the flight, during pushback, the airplane overshot the centerline and was being moved back to the centerline when he observed the tug continue aft and then heard a metallic sound. The pilot further stated that the pushback did not appear to be too fast and that there appeared to be only minor directional control problems with the tug until the impact. ## Factual narrative According to the tug driver, during pushback of the airplane from the gate, he turned the airplane early in order avoid an airplane at an adjacent gate. He further stated that he did not straighten the tug in time and impacted the airplane which resulted in substantial damage to airplane's nose landing gear support beam and a puncture in the pressure vessel. According to the pilot of the flight, during pushback the airplane overshot the centerline and was being corrected back to the line when he observed the tug continue aft and then heard a metallic sound. The pilot further stated that the pushback did not appear to be too fast and there appeared to be only minor directional control problems with the tug until the impact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N922DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N922DL-2022-09-20), registration cancelled 2022-09-20, S/N 49646, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CO MD-88 - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-md-88) (registry code 3023688) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 49646 - Airframe hours: 62135 - Engines: P & W JT8D-219 21000 lbs thrust turbo fan; P & W JT8D-219 21000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Delta Air Lines Inc, doing business as Delta Airlines - Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 6, 2011 - Departed: ATL, Atlanta, GA - Destination: CMH, Columbus, OH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ATL, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 19, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 11,903 total, 6,614 in this make and model, 4,061 as pilot in command, 171 in the last 90 days - Co-pilot; age 35; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review July 15, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 2,970 total, 2,970 in this make and model, 222 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg - Observed at: ATL ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82098. 322 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Atlanta Weather (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357091&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Atlanta%20Weather-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Airplane At Rest (Courtesy of the Operator) (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Damage to Airplane (Courtesy of the Operator) (item 4, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Damage%20to%20Airplane%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20Operator)-Master.PDF 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.