Bombardier CL-600-2B19 N8698A

Summary

On 13 November 2008 at about 10:45 local time, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19 registered N8698A, operated by Pinnacle Airlines, Inc, was involved in an accident near Detroit, Michigan, United States. 21 people were on board. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 November 2008 at 10:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Cou (DTW)

Coordinates

42.2108, -83.3603

Aircraft

Bombardier CL-600-2B19

Registration

N8698A

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Pinnacle Airlines, Inc

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Rapids → Detroit

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

DCA09FA011

Injuries not recorded.

The lack of vigilance on the part of the ramp agent driving the baggage tug. Contributing factors include the night conditions, and low visibility due to fog and rain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

On November 14, 2008, a Bombardier CL-600-2B19 was involved in a collision during taxi with a ground tug with a small luggage cart attached. The tug driver received minor injuries but none of the 17 passengers, two pilots and 1 flight attendant were injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The weather at the time included a visibility of 4 miles in fog. It was dark with light rain at the time of the accident. The ramp agent driving the tug stated that the left side curtain of his tug was open and the right side was covered with a fabric zip-on cover with a clear plastic panel for a window. He had his windshield wipers on. He did not see any aircraft prior to the collision. As he proceeded across an intersecting taxiway, he heard airplane engines nearby, and was surprised. He remembered seeing a glimpse of an airplane fuselage immediately before hearing a loud "crunch" noise prior to impacting the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.