# NTSB NYC03LA135: Embraer EMB-135-KL, N839AE, Boston, MA, June 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 2003, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Boston, MA - Coordinates: 42.364166, -71.004997 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3642&lon=-71.0050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 34 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSFO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57301 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57301/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA135 ## Probable cause The tug driver's failure to maintain directional control of the tug, which caused the tug to impact 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 - directional control - not maintained, driver of vehicle (cause) - object - vehicle ## Analysis As the airplane was being pushed back from the gate by a tug, the tug began to jackknife and the nose of the airplane came to rest 135 degrees from the heading of the tug. The tug operator could no longer push the airplane and the wing walker, who had been supervising, took over. He put the tug into reverse; however, he failed to straighten the steering wheel. As he moved the accelerator handle, the tug reversed directly into and underneath the airplane, impacting the fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the nose gear and a puncture to the underside of the fuselage, in the pressure vessel area. No mechanical deficiencies were noted with the tug. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 2003, about 1510 eastern daylight time, an Embraer EMB-135-KL, N839AE, operating as American Eagle flight 4644, was substantially damaged during pushback from the ramp at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. There were no injuries to the 3-person crew, 31 passengers, or 2 tug operators. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight which was destined for Bangor International Airport (BGR), Bangor, Maine. The scheduled passenger flight was to be conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to representatives of American Eagle, as the airplane was being pushed back from the gate by a "Lektro" tug, the tug began to jackknife and the nose of the airplane came to rest 135 degrees from the heading of the tug. The tug operator could no longer push the airplane, and the wing walker who had been supervising him took over. He put the tug into reverse; however, he failed to straighten the steering wheel. As he moved the accelerator handle, the tug reversed directly into and underneath the airplane, impacting the fuselage. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the nose gear and a puncture to the underside of the fuselage, in the pressure vessel area. No mechanical deficiencies were noted with the tug. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N839AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N839AE-2025-05-23), registration cancelled 2025-05-23, S/N 145653, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Embraer EMB-135-KL - Registry model: [Embraer EMB-135KL](https://openairdocs.org/model/embraer-emb-135kl) (registry code 3260302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison AE-3007A1/3](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-ae-3007a1-3) (registry code 03036, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 145653 - Engines: Allison AE3007A1/3 turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: American Eagle Airlines - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: BOS, Boston, MA - Destination: BGR, Bangor, ME - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BOS, Logan International Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 16,435 total - Co-pilot; age 39; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,589 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: BOS ## 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 20030624012029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030624012029A), Jun 24, 2003: Emb EMB135KL, Boston, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) Date: June 24, 2003 Logan international airport Boston ma (bos) 15:15 EDT ASI: donald e. small N839AE Embraer Emb-135-KL s/n 145653 FSDO-01 Tuesday… 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.