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NTSB Report
September 9, 1988 · Boeing 727-200 · N729RW
Minneapolis, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (71 uninjured)
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Aircraft
Boeing 727-200
Tail Number
N729RW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88FA233
AFTER PUSHBACK FROM THE JETWAY, THE AIRPLANE HIT A GROUND HANDLING VEHICLE (TUG) AS THE FLT CREW STARTED TO TAXI FOR TAKEOFF. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AFTER PUSHBACK, THE GROUND CREW INFORMED THE FLT CREW (VIA INTERCOM) THAT THE BYPASS PIN WAS REMOVED & THE STEERING WAS CONNECTED. THE GROUND CREWMAN ENDED THE CONVERSTATION BY STATING 'YOU GENTLEMEN HAVE A NICE TRIP, SEE YOU ANOTHER DAY.' THE INTERCOM WAS DISCONNECTED & THE CAPTAIN STARTED TO TAXI, BEFORE RECEIVING A VISUAL SIGNAL FROM THE GROUND CREW & BEFORE THE TUG WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRPLANE'S PATH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE HIT THE TOP OF THE TUG & DAMAGED THE LOWER RIGHT PART OF THE FORWARD FUSELAGE (BELOW THE COCKPIT WINDOWS).
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE CAPTAIN TO FOLLOW COMPANY PUSHBACK PROCEDURES AND NOT GETTING A RELEASE BEFORE STARTING TO TAXI.
Full Narrative
AFTER PUSHBACK FROM THE JETWAY, THE AIRPLANE HIT A GROUND HANDLING VEHICLE (TUG) AS THE FLT CREW STARTED TO TAXI FOR TAKEOFF. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AFTER PUSHBACK, THE GROUND CREW INFORMED THE FLT CREW (VIA INTERCOM) THAT THE BYPASS PIN WAS REMOVED & THE STEERING WAS CONNECTED. THE GROUND CREWMAN ENDED THE CONVERSTATION BY STATING 'YOU GENTLEMEN HAVE A NICE TRIP, SEE YOU ANOTHER DAY.' THE INTERCOM WAS DISCONNECTED & THE CAPTAIN STARTED TO TAXI, BEFORE RECEIVING A VISUAL SIGNAL FROM THE GROUND CREW & BEFORE THE TUG WAS REMOVED FROM THE AIRPLANE'S PATH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE HIT THE TOP OF THE TUG & DAMAGED THE LOWER RIGHT PART OF THE FORWARD FUSELAGE (BELOW THE COCKPIT WINDOWS).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:14 CDT
Nearest AirportMinneapolis/St.Paul Intl (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-200
Tail NumberN729RW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-17R · Turbofan · 18000
Seats152
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (71 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured71
Total71
Crew 1Age 58 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 16 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO