Boeing 717-200 N970AT

Summary

On 1 August 2003 at about 19:10 local time, a Boeing 717-200 registered N970AT was involved in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia, United States. 118 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 August 2003 at 19:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

The William B Hartsfield Atlan (ATL)

Coordinates

33.6403, -84.4269

Aircraft

Boeing 717-200

Registration

N970AT

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Atlanta → Baltimore

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL03LA124

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the ground crew to follow powerback procedures and directives.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the captain, after receiving permission from the ramp tower to commence the power-back, he indicated to the marshaller he was cleared for the power-back. During the power-back while lining up parallel with the north-south taxi line the captain felt a loud thump on the left side of the airplane. During the power-back turn a baggage tug was observed moving behind the airplane. The marshaller observed the tug driver getting jet blasted and one of the carts lying on the ground. The left wing walker, observed the tug driver come to a complete stop in the neutral area. The wing walker motioned the tug driver cross behind the airplane before the marshaller began the power-back. The tug driver pointed at his tug as if something had gone wrong, and the airplane collided with the baggage cart. The tug driver, observed the wing walker clear the tug to pass behind the airplane. As the tug driver proceeded slowly behind the airplane, the tug driver saw the trailing edge of the airplane coming towards him. In an attempt to speed up to avoid the airplane, the wingtip of the airplane struck the forth cart knocking it off of the transporter. Examination of the left wing revealed, the trailing edge of the aileron and wingtip were buckled. Review of the Airtran Standard Practice Flight Crew Powerback procedures, General Guidelines 6719.3, Part (D) states: It is the responsibility of the ground crew to ensure that the ramp area is clear of foreign objects and conflicting traffic before and during powerback.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.