Aviation Safety Network
Database
< Home / Aviation Safety Network
Status Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date Saturday 3 June 1995
Time 11:30
Type Silhouette image of generic A320 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Airbus A320-211
Operator Northwest Airlines
Registration N326US
MSN 282
Year of manufature 1991
Engines CFMI CFM56-5A1
Crew Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 7
Passengers Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 108
Total occupants Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 115
Aircraft damage Substantial, repaired
Aircraft fate rep
Location Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP)   United States of America
Phase Taxi
Nature Passenger - Scheduled
Departure Airport Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, MN (MSP/KMSP)
Destination Airport Santa Ana-John Wayne International Airport, CA (SNA/KSNA)
Narrative An Airbus A320-211, N326US, operating as Northwest Airlines Flight 115, collided with a tug on the ramp at the Minneapolis- St. Paul Airport resulting in substantial damage. The crew of 7 and 108 passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Orange County, California.

The captain stated that after pushback from the gate he communicated with the pushback tug operator and then his attention was diverted to details inside the cockpit. When he looked out in preparation to taxiing he did not see the wingwalker or tug and "assumed" that he had received a "waveoff." As power was applied and the airplane began to move he heard a loud noise and applied the brakes to stop the airplane. He then realized that he had collided with the pushback tug.

The captain's not maintaining crew/group coordination. Factors were the captain's diverted attention and his not maintaining visual separation.

sources


ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Final report

Investigating agency: NTSB

Report nr: CHI95LA170

Duration: 8 months

 DOWNLOAD REPORT

Safety recommendations