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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 23, 2019 · Boeing 757 324 · N57852

San Francisco, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 2019
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (199 uninjured)
Location
San Francisco, CA
Aircraft
Boeing 757 324 (2001)
Tail Number
N57852
Operator
United Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DCA19CA186

On July 23, 2019, about 0048, Pacific Daylight Time, United Airlines flight 1161, N57852, a Boeing 757-324, received substantial damage during pushback. There were no injuries to the passengers or crew onboard. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. According to the flight crew, the airplane was at gate 62 at SFO and after the door was closed and Pre-flight and Before-pushback checklists were completed, the flight crew then received clearance to push back. According to the ground crew, the pushback operation was conducted with a tug driver and a wing walker at each wing. After pushback was initiated, another airplane was towed behind the accident airplane. The tug driver stated he saw the other airplane and stopped but lost sight of the wing walker. After he thought the other airplane was clear, he started to move the airplane again, but then was signaled by the other airplane's ground crew to stop and that he had hit their airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right-hand elevator outboard section had broken at the second attach fitting. Also, the right-hand horizontal stabilizer had a puncture, end cap damage and other damage to the lower skin extending about 24 to 30 inches from the outboard end.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the ground crew to maintain clearance from the parked airplane during pushback.

Full Narrative

On July 23, 2019, about 0048, Pacific daylight time, United Airlines flight 1161, N57852, a Boeing 757-324, received substantial damage during pushback. There were no injuries to the crew or passengers on board. The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. According to the flight crew, while their airplane was being pushed back from gate 62 at SFO, it impacted a parked airplane, causing damage to their airplane’s right stabilizer and right elevator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:48 PDT
Nearest AirportSan Francisco International (0nm N)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 757 324
Tail NumberN57852
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorUnited Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsRolls Royce · RB211-535 · Turbofan · 42540 | Rolls Royce · RB211-535 · Turbofan · 42540
Seats295

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (199 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured199
Total199
Crew 1Age 60 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 38 · First Class · None

Conditions

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

Appendix: Source Data