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NTSB Report
April 13, 1988 · Boeing 727-290 · N291AS
Portland, OR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
April 13, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (98 uninjured)
Location
Portland, OR
Aircraft
Boeing 727-290
Tail Number
N291AS
Operator
Alaska Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
SEA88IA074
THE BOEING 727 WAS PUSHED BACK FM THE GATE COUNTERCLOCKWISE THROUGH AN ARC OF 90 DEGREES RESULTING IN MISPOSITIONING THE ACFT RELATIVE TO THE INTENDED TAXI DIRECTION. THE GROUND CREW (TUG AND SAFETY OPERATORS) ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THE OUT OF POSITION CONDITION BY CONTINUING THE PUSH BACK THROUGH A SECOND 90 DEGREE (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) ARC. THIS REQUIRED PUSHING THE AIRCRAFT UPSLOPE ACROSS THE RAMP. DURING THE SECOND 90 DEGREE ARC THE TUG BECAME POSITIONED APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES TO THE TOWBAR/AIRCRAFT LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE DOWNSLOPE AND IDLE POWER CONDITIONS OVERPOWERED THE TUG'S BRAKING CAPACITY AND THE TOW BAR BROKE UNDER A BENDING LOAD ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL FORWARD IMPACTING THE TUG. ALL THREE B-727 ENGINES WERE OPERATING AT IDLE THRUST.
Full Narrative
THE BOEING 727 WAS PUSHED BACK FM THE GATE COUNTERCLOCKWISE THROUGH AN ARC OF 90 DEGREES RESULTING IN MISPOSITIONING THE ACFT RELATIVE TO THE INTENDED TAXI DIRECTION. THE GROUND CREW (TUG AND SAFETY OPERATORS) ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THE OUT OF POSITION CONDITION BY CONTINUING THE PUSH BACK THROUGH A SECOND 90 DEGREE (COUNTERCLOCKWISE) ARC. THIS REQUIRED PUSHING THE AIRCRAFT UPSLOPE ACROSS THE RAMP. DURING THE SECOND 90 DEGREE ARC THE TUG BECAME POSITIONED APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES TO THE TOWBAR/AIRCRAFT LONGITUDINAL AXIS. THE DOWNSLOPE AND IDLE POWER CONDITIONS OVERPOWERED THE TUG'S BRAKING CAPACITY AND THE TOW BAR BROKE UNDER A BENDING LOAD ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL FORWARD IMPACTING THE TUG. ALL THREE B-727 ENGINES WERE OPERATING AT IDLE THRUST.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time13:10 PDT
Nearest AirportPortland Intnl (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-290
Tail NumberN291AS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorAlaska Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-217 · Turbofan · 14500
Seats145
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (98 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured98
Total98
Crew 1Age 52 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingOvercast 3300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC