Description

On 16 June 2021, a Boeing 737-400 (EC-MIE) being operated by Swiftair for Leipzig-based European Air Transport on a non-scheduled international cargo flight from East Midlands to Vitoria Spain as BCS48M was about to takeoff in normal night visibility when ATC advised that they had been informed that the towbar used for pushback had been left on the stand and that the aircraft should be externally inspected. When it was, both nose landing gear tyres were found to have sustained enough damage to require replacement before flight.

Investigation

A Serious Incident Investigation was carried out by the UK AAIB. The 54 year old Captain of the flight involved had a total of 11,750 hours flying experience of which 9,570 hours were on type. 

The pushback from stand 99 on the West Apron was conducted by a ground crew consisting of a tug driver and a headset operator and was uneventful. On completion, a chock was placed in front of the nose wheels to prevent the aircraft from moving whilst the towbar was disconnected. At this point, the aircraft Captain advised the headset operator that he could disconnect his headset and he would await a ‘visual clearance’ signal and sight of the nosewheel steering bypass pin from the right hand side of the aircraft.