# NTSB NYC05LA038: McDonnell Douglas MD-82, N402A, Providence, RI, December 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 20, 2004, 06:20 local (11:20 UTC) - Place: Providence, RI - Coordinates: 41.723888, -71.428337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7239&lon=-71.4283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 87 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 60812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60812/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA038 ## Probable cause The vehicle driver's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a collision with the airplane during push-back. A factor was the icy ramp area. ## 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 - object - vehicle - directional control - not maintained, driver of vehicle (cause) - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was being pushed back by a tug, on an icy ramp. During the push-back, the tug slid left on a patch of ice, and struck the airplane's right side, damaging the nose landing gear, three longerons, and two frames. As the tug began to lose control, the driver exited the vehicle before impact. ## Factual narrative On December 20, 2004, about 0620 eastern standard time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, N402A, operated by American Airlines Inc., as flight 763, was substantially damaged during push-back at Theodore Francis Green State Airport (PVD), Providence, Rhode Island. The 2 certificated airline transport pilots, 3 cabin attendants, and 82 passengers were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned flight to Chicago, Illinois. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the air carrier flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. The flight crew reported that the airplane was being pushed by a tug, on an icy ramp. During the push-back, the tug slid left on a patch of ice, and struck the airplane's right side, damaging the nose landing gear, three longerons, and two frames. The driver of the tug stated that during push-back, he initiated a slight turn and the airplane began to move toward the tug. The driver then exited the vehicle before the impact. The reported weather at PVD, at 0551, was: wind from 330 degrees at 14 knots; visibility 9 miles in light snow; broken ceiling at 1,700 feet; overcast ceiling at 2,100 feet; temperature 25 degrees F; dew point 22 degrees F; altimeter 29.56 inches Hg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N402A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N402A-2009-06-25), registration cancelled 2009-06-25, S/N 49313, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: McDonnell Douglas MD-82 - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82(MD-82)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-82-md-82) (registry code 3022082) (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: 49313 - Airframe hours: 56639 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217C 21000 lbs thrust turbo fan; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-217C 21000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: American Airlines Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 1, 2004, 11 hours before - Departed: PVD, Providence, RI - Destination: ORD, Chicago, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PVD, Theodore Francis Green State ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 10,391 total, 2,937 in this make and model, 3,563 as pilot in command - Co-pilot; age 40; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 5,269 total, 874 in this make and model, 2,074 as pilot in command, 143 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn - Wind: 330° at 14 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.55 inHg - Observed at: PVD ## 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 20041220033499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041220033499A), Dec 20, 2004: Doug DC982, Providence, RI, Substantial damage. (-23) During push back, when a turn was initiated, the tractor slid on ice. The operator of the push tractor reported that he stopped the push back and exited… 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.