Narrative:
A McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F, N302FE, operated by Federal Express, was substantially damaged during pushback at Newark International Airport (EWR), New Jersey.
The airplane was taxiing to the runway for departure when the APU door light illuminated. The airplane returned to the loading dock, the engines were shut down, the APU door was closed, and the APU was secured. The airplane's engines were then restarted at the dock, and the airplane began another pushback. During that pushback, it contacted the loading dock, and suffered an 8-foot gash along the left side, below the cockpit area.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The tug operator's inadequate visual lookout."
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 1 March 2000 |
| Time: | 03:47 |
| Type: |  McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F |
| Operator: | FedEx |
| Registration: | N302FE |
| MSN: | 46801/103 |
| First flight: | 1973-05-02 (26 years 10 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 64258 |
| Engines: | 3 General Electric CF6-50C2 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Pushback / towing (PBT) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Newark International Airport, NJ (EWR/KEWR), United States of America |
| Memphis International Airport, TN (MEM/KMEM), United States of America |
A McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F, N302FE, operated by Federal Express, was substantially damaged during pushback at Newark International Airport (EWR), New Jersey.
The airplane was taxiing to the runway for departure when the APU door light illuminated. The airplane returned to the loading dock, the engines were shut down, the APU door was closed, and the APU was secured. The airplane's engines were then restarted at the dock, and the airplane began another pushback. During that pushback, it contacted the loading dock, and suffered an 8-foot gash along the left side, below the cockpit area.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The tug operator's inadequate visual lookout."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Damaged on the ground
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Newark International Airport, NJ to Memphis International Airport, TN as the crow flies is 1510 km (944 miles).
Distance from Newark International Airport, NJ to Memphis International Airport, TN as the crow flies is 1510 km (944 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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