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April 29, 2016 · Bombardier CL 600 2B19 100 · N961SW

San Francisco, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 29, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (30 uninjured)
Location
San Francisco, CA
Aircraft
Bombardier CL 600 2B19 100 (2003)
Tail Number
N961SW
Operator
Skywest Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA16CA139

On April 28, 2016, about 2252 pacific daylight time, SkyWest Airlines flight 5260, N961SW, a Canadair CRJ-200, was struck after being pushed back from the gate by an airplane that was being towed by maintenance personnel at San Francisco International Airport (KSFO), San Francisco, California. There were no injuries and both airplanes received substantial damage. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from KSFO to Meadows Field Airport (KBFL), Bakersfield, California. After having been pushed back from the gate, N961SW was awaiting taxi clearance with engines operating and the parking brake set when it was struck by the Boeing 777 that was being reposition under tow. The tug driver that was pushing the Boeing 777indicated that he saw wing walkers on both sides and began to push back. He stated that he never saw any signal from the wing walker's signal wands indicating to stop. The left wing walker stated that the tow driver started pushing the Boeing 777 in reverse before asking if he and the other walkers were ready stating, that the airplane "was halfway out of the gate before I could react." He stated that, after the airplane entered the roadway, he notice that the tug driver was not slowing down as he approached N961SW. The left wing walk made an "X" with his signal wands and then started jumping up and down and moving to better location to be seen. The Boeing 777's lower left fuselage contacted the right stabilizer of N961SW resulting in substantial damage to the stabilizer and right elevator.

NTSB Probable Cause

The tug driver's failure to comply with the wing walkers direction to stop, which resulted in the towed airplane colliding with N961SW.

Full Narrative

On April 28, 2016, about 2252 pacific daylight time, SkyWest Airlines flight 5260, N961SW, a Canadair CRJ-200, was struck after being pushed back from the gate by an airplane that was being towed by maintenance personnel at San Francisco International Airport (KSFO), San Francisco, California. There were no injuries and both airplanes received substantial damage. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from KSFO to Meadows Field Airport (KBFL), Bakersfield, California. After having been pushed back from the gate, N961SW was awaiting taxi clearance with engines operating and the parking brake set when it was struck by the Boeing 777 that was being reposition under tow. The tug driver that was pushing the Boeing 777indicated that he saw wing walkers on both sides and began to push back. He stated that he never saw any signal from the wing walker's signal wands indicating to stop. The left wing walker stated that the tow driver started pushing the Boeing 777 in reverse before asking if he and the other walkers were ready stating, that the airplane "was halfway out of the gate before I could react." He stated that, after the airplane entered the roadway, he notice that the tug driver was not slowing down as he approached N961SW. The left wing walk made an "X" with his signal wands and then started jumping up and down and moving to better location to be seen. The Boeing 777's lower left fuselage contacted the right stabilizer of N961SW resulting in substantial damage to the stabilizer and right elevator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:52 PDT
Nearest AirportSan Francisco International (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBombardier CL 600 2B19 100
Tail NumberN961SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkywest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF34 SERIES · Turbofan · 9140 | Ge · CF34 SERIES · Turbofan · 9140
Seats55

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (30 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured30
Total30
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 30 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data