Narrative:
The Boeing 737-322, N364UA, was substantially damaged in a collision accident with a parked truck during push back at Denver International Airport, Colorado. The two occupants of the truck received minor injuries.
United Airlines flight UA475, a scheduled domestic passenger service from Denver, Colorado, to Ontario, California, had been cleared by ramp control for pushback from B53. The airplane had moved backwards about 20 feet when the captain felt "a thud." The tug operator advised him that they had struck a catering truck. The APU DET INOP light illuminated and the APU (auxiliary power unit) was secured. The passengers and crew deplaned via mobile airstairs. Postaccident inspection revealed the airplane's tailcone had struck the Dobbs International Services truck, knocking the truck over on its right side.
The collision tore a 15 inch hole between stringers 16L (left) and 26R (right). Stringers 26L, 26R, and 27R were also damaged. Four inches aft of BS 1016, between stringers 22R and 23R, there was a 3 inch x 3 inch hole in the fuselage. The skin and stringers 26L and 26R, from BS 1033 to BS 1066, were damaged. BS 1156 frame was crushed and there was a large hole in the APU access door. There was an 11 inch x 5 inch hole in the aft pressure bulkhead. Three chords and BS 1016 frame were damaged in this area The fiberglass tailcone was crushed.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Inadequate visual lookout by ground personnel (tug operator). Factors include failure of the airline to provide proper assistance (wing walkers) to the tug operator, and inadequate pushback procedures by the airline; inattention of the catering truck driver, and failure of the flight crew to illuminate the rotating beacon prior to or during pushback."
Damaged on the ground
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 17 June 1998 |
| Time: | 20:46 |
| Type: |  Boeing 737-322 |
| Operator: | United Airlines |
| Registration: | N364UA |
| MSN: | 24533/1756 |
| First flight: | 1989 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 27323 |
| Engines: | 2 CFMI CFM56-3C1 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 65 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 70 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Denver International Airport, CO (DEN) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Taxi (TXI) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Denver International Airport, CO (DEN/KDEN), United States of America |
| Ontario International Airport, CA (ONT/KONT), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | UA475 |
The Boeing 737-322, N364UA, was substantially damaged in a collision accident with a parked truck during push back at Denver International Airport, Colorado. The two occupants of the truck received minor injuries.
United Airlines flight UA475, a scheduled domestic passenger service from Denver, Colorado, to Ontario, California, had been cleared by ramp control for pushback from B53. The airplane had moved backwards about 20 feet when the captain felt "a thud." The tug operator advised him that they had struck a catering truck. The APU DET INOP light illuminated and the APU (auxiliary power unit) was secured. The passengers and crew deplaned via mobile airstairs. Postaccident inspection revealed the airplane's tailcone had struck the Dobbs International Services truck, knocking the truck over on its right side.
The collision tore a 15 inch hole between stringers 16L (left) and 26R (right). Stringers 26L, 26R, and 27R were also damaged. Four inches aft of BS 1016, between stringers 22R and 23R, there was a 3 inch x 3 inch hole in the fuselage. The skin and stringers 26L and 26R, from BS 1033 to BS 1066, were damaged. BS 1156 frame was crushed and there was a large hole in the APU access door. There was an 11 inch x 5 inch hole in the aft pressure bulkhead. Three chords and BS 1016 frame were damaged in this area The fiberglass tailcone was crushed.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Inadequate visual lookout by ground personnel (tug operator). Factors include failure of the airline to provide proper assistance (wing walkers) to the tug operator, and inadequate pushback procedures by the airline; inattention of the catering truck driver, and failure of the flight crew to illuminate the rotating beacon prior to or during pushback."
Accident investigation:
 |
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Classification:
Collision with airport equipmentDamaged 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 Denver International Airport, CO to Ontario International Airport, CA as the crow flies is 1307 km (817 miles).
Distance from Denver International Airport, CO to Ontario International Airport, CA as the crow flies is 1307 km (817 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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