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| Date: | Thursday 19 February 1998 |
| Time: | 08:00 |
| Type: |  Boeing 737-59D |
| Owner/operator: | British Midland |
| Registration: | G-BVKA |
| MSN: | 24694/1834 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1990 |
| Engine model: | CFMI CFM56-3 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 44 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor, repaired |
| Location: | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Pushback / towing |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Towards the end of a normal 'Pushback', as the tug driver Maneuvered the tug to straighten the aircraft on the taxiway centerline, the tug lost traction and the top of the driver’s cab struck the right side of the aircraft radome.
The tug driver was still under training and his mentor considered that this 'Pushback', the second of the day, had been at a safe speed and well controlled. The commander of the aircraft also confirmed that the 'Pushback' appeared normal up to the time of impact. He also commented that both engines of G-BVKA were running and that the ramp surface may have been slightly greasy due to the overnight rain after a long period of dry weather. The ramp investigation concluded that the greasy conditions combined with both aircraft engines operating and a slight dip in the taxiway had contributed to the incident. Following the investigation, the Ramp Training and Safety Manager raised a 'Ramp Alert' to highlight the incident and to advise drivers and headset operators to liaise
closely with aircraft commanders when surface conditions are slippery.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422f2d4e5274a1314000413/dft_avsafety_pdf_501754.pdf
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9578384 (Photo)
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 6 August 1996 | G-BVKA | British Midland | 0 | London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) | |
min |
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 03-Apr-2025 18:57 | Justanormalperson | Added |
| 03-Apr-2025 18:58 | ASN | Updated [Narrative, Accident report, ] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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