# NTSB MIA95LA196: Boeing 727-264, N764AT, Orlando, FL, August 6, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 5, 1995, 21:10 local (Aug 6, 1995, 01:10 UTC) - Place: Orlando, FL - Coordinates: 28.419895, -81.300964 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4199&lon=-81.3010&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 165 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37809 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA95LA196 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37809/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA196 ## 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. ## 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, ground personnel (cause) ## Analysis AFTER PUSHBACK, WITH ALL ENGINES OPERATING AND THE AIRPLANE BRAKES APPLIED, THE GROUND CREW REPORTED DIFFICULTY DISCONNECTING THE TOW BAR FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE FLIGHTCREW RELEASED THE BRAKES AT THE REQUEST OF THE GROUND CREW, AND THE TOW BAR WAS DISCONNECTED FIRST FROM THE AIRPLANE THEN THE TUG. WHILE THE GROUND CREWMEMBER WAS RECONNECTING THE TOW BAR TO THE TUG, HE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MOVING FORWARD AND ADVISED THE CAPTAIN TO APPLY THE AIRPLANE BRAKES. THE AIRPLANE THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TUG. ## Factual narrative On August 5, 1995, about 2110 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 727-264, N764AT, operated by American Trans Air, collided with a tug while on the ramp at the Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 121 domestic, scheduled, passenger flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the flightcrew of 3, cabin crew of 4 and 158 passengers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The flight and ground crews stated that during the pushback from the gate all engines were started. The airplane was stopped and the brakes were applied during which the ground crew reported difficulty disconnecting the tow bar from the airplane. The flightcrew stated that the brakes were released at the request of the ground crew who then disconnected the tow bar first from the tug then from the airplane. While the ground crewmember was reconnecting the tow bar to the tug, he observed the airplane moving forward and advised the captain to apply the brakes. The airplane then collided with the tug. ## 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: 37499 - Engines: P&W JT8D-17A 16000 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: American Trans Air - Registered owner: First Security Bank Of Utah - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, February 24, 1995, 1,220 hours before - Departed: MCO - Destination: MKE, MILWAUKEE, WI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MCO, Orlando International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,800 total, 1,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 110° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MCO, 1 nm away ## 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 19950805023669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950805023669A), Aug 5, 1995: Boeing 727264, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. Push back. Had pilot release brakes to disconnect. Aircraft rolled into tug pilot and ramp crew error. ## 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 CHI00FA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00FA244), Aug 16, 2000: Boeing 727-264 (N764AT), Chicago, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: the fractured tow bar and the inadequate weld of the tow bar by an unknown person. 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.