# NTSB NYC08LA234: Bombardier CL-600-2C10, N725PS, Charlotte, NC, June 28, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 2008, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Charlotte, NC
- Coordinates: 35.21389, -80.943054
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2139&lon=-80.9431&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Pushback/towing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080); [Standing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 112 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68339
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08LA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68339/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA234

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The tugdriver and wing walker's lack of communication and the tugdriver's failure to properly monitor the wing walker. Contributing to the accident was the lightning in the vicinity of the airport, which resulted in the ground crewmembers not wearing headsets.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The tugdriver and wing walker's lack of communication and the tugdriver's failure to properly monitor the wing walker. Contributing to the accident was the lightning in the vicinity of the airport, which resulted in the ground crewmembers not wearing headsets.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2C10, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=1390015), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Ground crew (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2C10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=1390015), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md)
- [Convective weather: lightning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2C10, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033025/cases.md?model=1390015), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033025/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Ground crew (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=1390008), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Ground crew (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=1390008), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md)
- [Convective weather: lightning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033025/cases.md?model=1390008), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03033025/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), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2C10, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=1390015), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md)
- [Standing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=1390008), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A CRJ 200 had completed the pushback process and was waiting for taxi clearance. A CRJ 700 was being pushed back from another gate, with a wing walker stationed at the left wing. The wing walker was aware of the CRJ 200, and when the pushback commenced, he believed that the tugdriver was only going to pushback the airplane about 10 feet. As the tugdriver continued to push the airplane past 10 feet, the wing walker signaled the tugdriver to stop. Witnesses observed the wing walker signaling the tugdriver to stop as the tugdriver continued to push the airplane. The tail section of the CRJ 700 struck the tail section of the CRJ 200, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennages of both airplanes. Due to lightning in the vicinity of airport, ground crewmembers were not using headsets.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

A CRJ 200 had completed the pushback process and was waiting for taxi clearance. A CRJ 700 was being pushed back from another gate, with a wing walker stationed at the left wing. The wing walker was aware of the CRJ 200, and when the pushback commenced, he believed that the tugdriver was only going to pushback the airplane about 10 feet. As the tugdriver continued to push the airplane past 10 feet, the wing walker signaled the tugdriver to stop. Witnesses observed the wing walker signaling the tugdriver to stop as the tugdriver continued to push the airplane. The tail section of the CRJ 700 struck the tail section of the CRJ 200, which resulted in substantial damage to the empennages of both airplanes. Due to lightning in the vicinity of airport, ground crewmembers were not using headsets.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On June 28, 2008, about 1815 eastern daylight time, a Bombardier Inc. CL-600-2C10 (CRJ 700), N725PS, was being pushed back for taxi to takeoff, when it struck a standing Bombardier Inc. CL-600-2B19 (CRJ 200), N228PS, at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. Both airplanes were substantially damaged, and both flights were operated by PSA Airlines Inc., doing business as US Airways Express. There were no injuries to the 2 flight crewmembers, 2 flight attendants, and 60 passengers on board the CRJ 700, or the 2 flight crewmembers, 1 flight attendant, and 45 passengers on board the CRJ 200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and instrument flight rules flight plans were filed for both flights, which were conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121. According to a representative from PSA Airlines Inc., due to lightning in the vicinity of CLT, ground crewmembers were not utilizing headsets. The CRJ 200 had completed the pushback process from gate E21, and was waiting for taxi clearance. The CRJ 700 was parked at gate E12, when it was cleared for pushback by ramp control. A wing walker was stationed at the left wing, in plain sight of the tugdriver. The wing walker was aware of the CRJ 200, and when the pushback commenced, he believed that the tugdriver was only going to pushback the airplane about 10 feet, just enough to trigger the aircraft communication addressing and reporting system (ACARS) "out" time. As the tugdriver continued to push the airplane past 10 feet, the wing walker signaled the tugdriver to stop. He continued to attempt to alert the tugdriver; however, the tugdriver did not observe the wing walker before the tail section of the CRJ 700, struck the tail section of the CRJ 200. The empennages of both airplanes were substantially damaged. Two other ground crewmembers stated that they observed the wing walker signaling the tugdriver to stop as the tugdriver continued to push the airplane. One of the ground crewmembers, who was working at gate E14, ran toward the tugdriver and tried to get his attention. He stated that the tugdriver was focused on the cockpit of the airplane and was directing the starting of the airplane's No. 2 engine. The tugdriver stated that he began the pushback as normal and gave the flight crew the signal to start the No. 2 engine. He was not aware that anything was wrong until he observed the ground crewmember from gate E14.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On June 28, 2008, about 1815 eastern daylight time, a Bombardier Inc. CL-600-2C10 (CRJ 700), N725PS, was being pushed back for taxi to takeoff, when it struck a standing Bombardier Inc. CL-600-2B19 (CRJ 200), N228PS, at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. Both airplanes were substantially damaged, and both flights were operated by PSA Airlines Inc., doing business as US Airways Express. There were no injuries to the 2 flight crewmembers, 2 flight attendants, and 60 passengers on board the CRJ 700, or the 2 flight crewmembers, 1 flight attendant, and 45 passengers on board the CRJ 200. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and instrument flight rules flight plans were filed for both flights, which were conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 121. According to a representative from PSA Airlines Inc., due to lightning in the vicinity of CLT, ground crew members were not utilizing headsets. The CRJ 200 had completed the pushback process from gate E21, and was waiting for taxi clearance. The CRJ 700 was parked at gate E12, when it was cleared for pushback by ramp control. A wing walker was stationed at the left wing, in plain sight of the tug driver. The wing walker was aware of the CRJ 200, and when the pushback commenced, he believed that the tug driver was only going to pushback the airplane about 10 feet, just enough to trigger the aircraft communication addressing and reporting system (ACARS) "out" time. As the tug driver continued to push the airplane past 10 feet, the wing walker signaled the tug driver to stop. He continued to attempt to alert the tug driver; however, the tug driver did not observe the wing walker before the tail section of the CRJ 700, struck the tail section of the CRJ 200. The empennages of both airplanes were substantially damaged. Two other ground crew members stated that they observed the wing walker signaling the tug driver to stop as the tug driver continued to push the airplane. One of the ground crew members, who was working at gate E14 ran toward the tug driver and tried to get his attention. He stated that the tug driver was focused on the cockpit of the airplane and was directing the starting of the airplane's number 2 engine. The tug driver stated that he began the pushback as normal and gave the flight crew the signal to start the number two engine. He was not aware that anything was wrong until he observed the ground crew member from gate E14.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N725PS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N725PS), registered now, S/N 10186, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bombardier, Inc. CL-600-2C10
- Registry model: [Bombardier CL-600-2C10](https://openairdocs.org/model/bombardier-cl-600-2c10) (registry code 1390015) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE CF34 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf34-series) (registry code 30015, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10186
- Airframe hours: 9011
- Engines: GE CF34-8C5B1 13790 lbs thrust turbo fan; GE CF34-8C5B1 13790 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: PSA Airlines Inc., doing business as US Airways Express
- Registered owner: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 26, 2008
- Departed: CLT, Charlotte, NC
- Destination: IAD, Dulles, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CLT, Charlotte-Douglas

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N228PS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N228PS), registered now, S/N 7897 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Bombardier, Inc. CL-600-2B19
- Registry model: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/bombardier-cl-600-2b19) (registry code 1390008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7897
- Airframe hours: 10544
- Engines: GE CF34-3B1 8729 lbs thrust turbo fan; GE CF34-3B1 8729 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Psa Airlines Inc, doing business as US Airways Express
- Registered owner: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest NA Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 26, 2008
- Departed: CLT, Charlotte, NC
- Destination: FAY, Fayetteville, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CLT, Charlotte-Douglas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N725PS; age 30; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 7, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 5,316 total, 2,393 as pilot in command, 226 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N725PS; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 177 total, 86 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N228PS; age 26; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,595 total, 87 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days
- Co-pilot, aircraft N228PS; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 2, 2007; seat: right; flight hours: 430 total, 207 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 168° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observed at: CLT

## 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 20080628846359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080628846359A), Jun 28, 2008: Cndair CL6002C10, Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 1415 eastern daylight time (EDT) on June 28, 2008, N725PS was being pushed back from gate E12, when it collided with N228PS. N228PS had…

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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