Narrative:
An Airbus A320-211, N326US, operating as Northwest Airlines Flight 115, collided with a tug on the ramp at the Minneapolis- St. Paul Airport resulting in substantial damage. The crew of 7 and 108 passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Orange County, California.
The captain stated that after pushback from the gate he communicated with the pushback tug operator and then his attention was diverted to details inside the cockpit. When he looked out in preparation to taxiing he did not see the wingwalker or tug and "assumed" that he had received a "waveoff." As power was applied and the airplane began to move he heard a loud noise and applied the brakes to stop the airplane. He then realized that he had collided with the pushback tug.
The captain's not maintaining crew/group coordination. Factors were the captain's diverted attention and his not maintaining visual separation.
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Saturday 3 June 1995 |
| Time: | 11:30 |
| Type: |  Airbus A320-211 |
| Operator: | Northwest Airlines |
| Registration: | N326US |
| MSN: | 282 |
| First flight: | |
| Total airframe hrs: | 11164 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 108 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 115 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Taxi (TXI) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP/KMSP), United States of America |
| Santa Ana-John Wayne International Airport, CA (SNA/KSNA), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | NW115 |
An Airbus A320-211, N326US, operating as Northwest Airlines Flight 115, collided with a tug on the ramp at the Minneapolis- St. Paul Airport resulting in substantial damage. The crew of 7 and 108 passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Orange County, California.
The captain stated that after pushback from the gate he communicated with the pushback tug operator and then his attention was diverted to details inside the cockpit. When he looked out in preparation to taxiing he did not see the wingwalker or tug and "assumed" that he had received a "waveoff." As power was applied and the airplane began to move he heard a loud noise and applied the brakes to stop the airplane. He then realized that he had collided with the pushback tug.
Probable Cause:
The captain's not maintaining crew/group coordination. Factors were the captain's diverted attention and his not maintaining visual separation.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Damaged on the ground
Photos
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 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN to Santa Ana-John Wayne International Airport, CA as the crow flies is 2429 km (1518 miles).
Distance from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN to Santa Ana-John Wayne International Airport, CA as the crow flies is 2429 km (1518 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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