Narrative:
EasyJet flight U26755, an Airbus A320-214, sustained damage to the right-hand engine inlet cowling during pushback at Belfast International Airport, Northern Ireland.
The aircraft was being pushed back from Stand 18 and was stopped with the tug and tow bar positioned at a significant angle to the aircrafts nose. The tow bar disconnected from the nose landing gear, and the aircraft rolled forward and struck
the tug.
Conclusion:
During the pushback, the left turn was made beyond the correct turning point because the tug driver had difficulty seeing the taxi line in the wet reflective surface of the apron. The aircraft was stopped with the tug and tow bar positioned at a significant angle to the right of the aircrafts nose and, at some point, the tow bar disconnected from the nose landing gear.
The aircraft rolled forward slowly, and the flight crew believed it was still under tow and they could not apply aircraft brakes. The aircraft was brought to a halt when it struck the tug.
Damaged on the ground
accident date: 03-04-2019
type: Airbus A320-214
registration: G-EZWC
accident date: 03-04-2019
type: Airbus A320-214
registration: G-EZWC
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 3 April 2019 |
| Time: | 15:10 |
| Type: |  Airbus A320-214 |
| Operator: | easyJet |
| Registration: | G-EZWC |
| MSN: | 5236 |
| First flight: | 2012 |
| Engines: | 2 CFMI CFM56-5B4/3 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 180 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 186 |
| Aircraft damage: | Minor |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | Belfast International Airport (BFS) ( United Kingdom)
|
| Phase: | Pushback / towing (PBT) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Belfast International Airport (BFS/EGAA), United Kingdom |
| Málaga Airport (AGP/LEMG), Spain |
EasyJet flight U26755, an Airbus A320-214, sustained damage to the right-hand engine inlet cowling during pushback at Belfast International Airport, Northern Ireland.
The aircraft was being pushed back from Stand 18 and was stopped with the tug and tow bar positioned at a significant angle to the aircrafts nose. The tow bar disconnected from the nose landing gear, and the aircraft rolled forward and struck
the tug.
Probable Cause:
Conclusion:
During the pushback, the left turn was made beyond the correct turning point because the tug driver had difficulty seeing the taxi line in the wet reflective surface of the apron. The aircraft was stopped with the tug and tow bar positioned at a significant angle to the right of the aircrafts nose and, at some point, the tow bar disconnected from the nose landing gear.
The aircraft rolled forward slowly, and the flight crew believed it was still under tow and they could not apply aircraft brakes. The aircraft was brought to a halt when it struck the tug.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Collision with airport equipmentDamaged on the ground
Photos
accident date: 03-04-2019
type: Airbus A320-214
registration: G-EZWC
accident date: 03-04-2019
type: Airbus A320-214
registration: G-EZWC
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Belfast International Airport to Málaga Airport as the crow flies is 1989 km (1243 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Belfast International Airport to Málaga Airport as the crow flies is 1989 km (1243 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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