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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 5, 2016 · Boeing 737 3H4 3H4 · N368SW

Baltimore, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 5, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (134 uninjured)
Location
Baltimore, MD
Aircraft
Boeing 737 3H4 3H4 (1993)
Tail Number
N368SW
Operator
Southwest Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA16CA207

On August 4, 2016 at 9:02pm eastern daylight time, Southwest Airlines flight 149, a Boeing 737, N368SW, experienced a failure of the nose landing gear during pushback from the gate at the Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI), Baltimore, Maryland. The aircraft was substantially damaged and there were no injuries to the 6 crewmembers or 129 passengers but the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was being operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight to Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia. According to the flight crew, as the pushback tug was maneuvering the aircraft off the gate, the flight crew felt the front of the airplane bounce up and down, and then came to rest on the nose. The passengers were deplaned via air stairs. The nose gear collapsed in a forward direction, resulting in substantial damage to the gear structure, the nose gear well, and crushing the forward bulkhead. An airport surveillance camera video was obtained, which showed the tug pushing the aircraft at approximately 6 knots. The tug specifications indicate that speed could be achieved only in second gear or higher. The airline general operating manual specifies that pushback must be conducted in low or first gear, and at a walking speed.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-Towing and taxiing-Towing-Incorrect use/operation - C

Full Narrative

On August 4, 2016 at 9:02pm eastern daylight time, Southwest Airlines flight 149, a Boeing 737, N368SW, experienced a failure of the nose landing gear during pushback from the gate at the Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI), Baltimore, Maryland. The aircraft was substantially damaged and there were no injuries to the 6 crewmembers or 129 passengers but the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was being operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 121 as a regularly scheduled passenger flight to Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia. According to the flight crew, as the pushback tug was maneuvering the aircraft off the gate, the flight crew felt the front of the airplane bounce up and down, and then came to rest on the nose. The passengers were deplaned via air stairs. The nose gear collapsed in a forward direction, resulting in substantial damage to the gear structure, the nose gear well, and crushing the forward bulkhead. An airport surveillance camera video was obtained, which showed the tug pushing the aircraft at approximately 6 knots. The tug specifications indicate that speed could be achieved only in second gear or higher. The airline general operating manual specifies that pushback must be conducted in low or first gear, and at a walking speed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:02 EDT
Nearest AirportBaltimore/Thurgood Marshall In (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 737 3H4 3H4
Tail NumberN368SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSouthwest Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsCfm Intl. · CFM56 SERIES · Turbofan | Cfm Intl. · CFM56 SERIES · Turbofan
Seats151

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (134 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured134
Total134
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 45 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind170° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
Ceiling25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time00:22

Appendix: Source Data