Boeing 737-83N N303TZ

Summary

On 16 January 2003 at about 13:15 local time, a Boeing 737-83N registered N303TZ, operated by American Trans Air Inc, was involved in an incident near Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. 79 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 January 2003 at 13:15

Classification

Incident

Location

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

Indianapolis Intl (IND)

Coordinates

39.7172, -86.2944

Aircraft

Boeing 737-83N

Registration

N303TZ

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

American Trans Air Inc

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Indianapolis → Chicago

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03IA055

Nobody was injured.

The ground tow personnel not maintaining clearance from the de-icing vehicle during the tow back to the gate. Factors were the de-icing vehicle that parked by the airplane's left wing, the ground personnel not following the operator's towing procedures/directives.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane sustained minor damage when it struck a deicing truck as it was being towed back to the gate. No injuries occurred. The operator reported, "The de-ice truck had re-positioned itself off of the left wing and forward, waiting to de-ice another aircraft. The left wing walker left his post upon request of the tug driver to scrape the snow off the lead in line with his boot. The aircraft impacted the de-ice truck, dragging it approximately 15 feet. The truck went up on two wheels and was pinned at a 45-degree angle. The tow was stopped and appropriate calls made." Visibility was 1 and 1/2 statute mile and present weather was light snow and mist. The operator's procedures current at the time of the accident stated, "3. The tow tug operator will: a. Ascertain exactly where the aircraft is to be towed and positioned, and know (or view) the precise route to be taken. ... d. Undertake or continue a towing/pushing procedure only when visual contact with all necessary guidemen is possible. Obstructed vision is the 'signal' to stop and re-establish the necessary guidemen contacts."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.