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Tractor driver reported failing to communicate with the pilot due to lack of training when the aircraft disconnected from the tractor during pushback.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1617274 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201902 |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Commercial Fixed Wing |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Taxi |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Ramp Vehicle Driver |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle |
Narrative:
I hooked up the tow bar and pushback tractor and continued helping my crew load the flight. Last minute freight arrived at the gate and I jumped in the back pit to load the 5 or 6 boxes that came late. Got out; went to the front of the plane to get on the headset. Once I started pushing out; about 5 seconds into the push I noticed the plane become disconnected from the tug. At this point I didn't know what to tell the pilot because in training I wasn't presented with this type situation or informed the proper verbiage to relay to pilot. I continued to drive with the plane so I wouldn't disconnect the headset from the plane and lose all communication with pilot. Once I [saw] the plane coming to a stop I slowed and came to a stop as well. The plane rolled back onto the push tractor.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Tractor driver reported failing to communicate with the pilot due to lack of training when the aircraft disconnected from the tractor during pushback.
Narrative: I hooked up the tow bar and pushback tractor and continued helping my crew load the flight. Last minute freight arrived at the gate and I jumped in the back pit to load the 5 or 6 boxes that came late. Got out; went to the front of the plane to get on the headset. Once I started pushing out; about 5 seconds into the push I noticed the plane become disconnected from the tug. At this point I didn't know what to tell the pilot because in training I wasn't presented with this type situation or informed the proper verbiage to relay to pilot. I continued to drive with the plane so I wouldn't disconnect the headset from the plane and lose all communication with pilot. Once I [saw] the plane coming to a stop I slowed and came to a stop as well. The plane rolled back onto the push tractor.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.