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September 13, 2017 · Bombardier CL 600 2B19 100 · N261PS

Charlotte, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 13, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (34 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Charlotte, NC
Aircraft
Bombardier CL 600 2B19 100 (2004)
Tail Number
N261PS
Operator
Psa Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA17CA197

On September 13, 2017, at 3:45 pm eastern daylight time, PSA Airlines flight 5233, a Bombardier CRJ-200, N261PS, collided with a TLD Jet-16 baggage tug operated by Piedmont Airlines while taxiing at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (KCLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing and the tug canopy section was damaged. The tug driver was seriously injured and there were no injuries to the 34 passengers and crew onboard the CRJ-200. Weather was daytime visual meteorological conditions. After landing on runway 18R, the airplane was instructed to taxi to Gate E4. While taxiing in a narrow alleyway near the north end of concourse E, between the concourse and the baggage transfer point, the ground tug impacted the left wingtip. The tug was driving on non-movement area of the terminal ramp. The baggage tug was slightly in front of the aircraft at about a 10 o'clock position to the captain of the aircraft. A terminal road crosses the taxi alleyway from near Gate E38 to the beginning of area designated as the baggage transfer point. The transfer point is located outside the alleyway and is lined with concrete barriers. Airplane taxi within the alleyway and ground equipment travel perpendicular to aircraft movement when accessing the transfer point. As the tug turned onto the service road and began to cross the roadway he noticed the airplane taxing in the alley. The driver indicated that, in order to avoid a collision, he tightened his right turn in the opposite direction the airplane was traveling before colliding with the left hand wing. The canopy of the baggage tug was sheared off and the leading edge and winglet of the airplane was substantially damaged. The final resting place of the tug was just behind the trailing edge of the wing. There were skid marks from the airplane tires consistent with maximum braking starting when the airplane made contact with the baggage tug. According to airline ground movement procedures, an airplane on the non-movement area always has the right of way.

NTSB Probable Cause

the tug operator's initiation of a right turn onto the perpendicular terminal road in proximity to the airplane.

Full Narrative

On September 13, 2017, at 3:45 pm eastern daylight time, PSA Airlines flight 5233, a Bombardier CRJ-200, N261PS, collided with a TLD Jet-16 baggage tug operated by Piedmont Airlines while taxiing at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (KCLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. The airplane received substantial damage to the left wing and the tug canopy section was damaged. The tug driver was seriously injured and there were no injuries to the 34 passengers and crew onboard the CRJ-200. Weather was daytime visual meteorological conditions. After landing on runway 18R, the airplane was instructed to taxi to Gate E4. While taxiing in a narrow alleyway near the north end of concourse E, between the concourse and the baggage transfer point, the ground tug impacted the left wingtip. The tug was driving on non-movement area of the terminal ramp. The baggage tug was slightly in front of the aircraft at about a 10 o'clock position to the captain of the aircraft. A terminal road crosses the taxi alleyway from near Gate E38 to the beginning of area designated as the baggage transfer point. The transfer point is located outside the alleyway and is lined with concrete barriers. Airplane taxi within the alleyway and ground equipment travel perpendicular to aircraft movement when accessing the transfer point. As the tug turned onto the service road and began to cross the roadway he noticed the airplane taxing in the alley. The driver indicated that, in order to avoid a collision, he tightened his right turn in the opposite direction the airplane was traveling before colliding with the left hand wing. The canopy of the baggage tug was sheared off and the leading edge and winglet of the airplane was substantially damaged. The final resting place of the tug was just behind the trailing edge of the wing. There were skid marks from the airplane tires consistent with maximum braking starting when the airplane made contact with the baggage tug. According to airline ground movement procedures, an airplane on the non-movement area always has the right of way.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EDT
Nearest AirportCharlotte/Douglas Intl (20nm ESE)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBombardier CL 600 2B19 100
Tail NumberN261PS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPsa Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsGe · CF34 SERIES · Turbofan · 9140 | Ge · CF34 SERIES · Turbofan · 9140
Seats55

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (34 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured34
Total35
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class · None
Crew 2First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 18 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data