Push Back tug hits aircraft

[slingsby]

Sunday 16th December
An Aviance (GHI) push back tug wrecked the underside of a Royal Brunei Airlines B767. After completing the tow onto stand, the driver positioned his tug along side the aircraft, when an alledged electrical fault on the tug caused it to run forward at speed (with driver still in the cab) and firmly wedge itself under the fuselage just aft of the cargo door. The aircraft was now on the tug with the nose gear nearly off the ground.
Emergency services on scene within 30 seconds from call out. BA crash recovery team enabled tug extraction by over pressurising the main gear and raising the aircraft clear of the tug. First initial assessments from on scene Engineers was Three frames snapped or severly buckled. At least 6 skin panels to be replaced, associated duct work and wire conduits to be replaced. Estimated time for repair without the stress checks and airworthiness certifications and airtests is 6 weeks.
It's bad enough for whats gone on in the past, but for a small operation like RBA with a limited fleet, it's going to hurt them very badly.
Note: The operating Captain had just walked past the other side of the aircraft whilst completing his walkround. He was none too impressed at seeing a tug appear under his aircraft. I myself was on the jetbridge waiting for the jetty driver to allow us to board.
Fortunately the tug driver was unhurt, but i am led to believe he is extremely traumatised. I would be too having a B767 sitting i

[IcePack]

Yep! some of the maintainance of ground handling equipment leaves a lot to be desired.
Have lost count of the times I have been delayed on pushback for things like can't get the steps to start/lower/move etc etc.
I hope aviance learn a lesson from this. Maintain the "d---m" equipment & carry out regular training of personnel.

[MEVERTSGB]

[quote] but for a small operation like RBA with a limited fleet, it's going to hurt them very badly. <hr></blockquote>

Until Bill Gates came along, the Sultan of Brunei was the richest man in the world. I think he would be rather upset by the above quote. I am sure he could by 10 replacement aircraft at a moment's notice. I have flown on Royal Brunei before; seat buckles, toilet seats and water taps are gold plated. Beat that !!

[Blacksheep]

No airline can afford to ground ten per cent of its fleet for eight weeks regardless of legendary national wealth.

As costs are cut to the bone and contracting out increases, the incidence of ground accidents is on the rise and the ramp is becoming a more dangerous place to work. Its about time that the handling agents and contractors that blunder about our airports were brought under similar regulatory controls as the airlines. Cowboy handlers and expensive aeroplanes don't mix, not to mention the risks of personal injury or death. While aviation is a disease as much as an occupation, most sufferers have no wish to die from it.

**********************************
Through difficulties to the cinema

[Siddique]

Couldnt agree more now IF the airlines would actually PAY for the service then perhaps some investment would be made. I am appalled at the equipment that I see every day on the ramp in the UK but there is no money in it and contracts are short or suffer termination as airlines go out of business so no investment.
Also one point surely the commander was not walking round HIS aircraft? It surely belongs to the airline concerned and the driver (sorry pilot)is but one person in the long chain of persons assisting with getting the flight away safely and on time?

[CargoOne]

Sad story. However we should say thanks to fortune that it was Royal Brunei Airlines who can easily afford any aircraft as substitute. Only Sultan of Brunei himself owns more long-haul equipment that most of G7 governments or even mid-size airlines. Profitability of airline is not the biggest concern for Brunei.

[LRdriver]

That would NEVER happen in the UK..
Because here we wear our yellow vests.


"anybody seen wearing a yellow vest will be fired on the spot"
quote an old cheifpilot of mine..

[Plumbob]

I travelled with Royal Brunei a few months ago and was not happy. The plane was dirty inside - my seat was stained and the table covered in something. The bathrooms on the plane were dirty and smelt bad. I know I should have complained but didn't. I was backpacking and the ticket price was not too bad. If Brunei has so much money why are their planes like that?
I guess Royal Brunei will fire the driver of the tractor?

[ 21 December 2001: Message edited by: Plumbob ]</p>

[Bus429]

Blacksheep is spot on. In my experience, the UK is one of the worst places for ground induced damage (GID). On several occasions, I have known the perpetrators to just b****r off without telling anyone. Fortunately, evidence in the form of paint smears was often left behind so tracing the culprit was not too difficult. It is a function of cost - PPGM. Incidents like the one described on this posting cause insurance payouts with consequent increase in premiums which are unfortunately passed on to the customer. As if the industry is not going through enough already!

[Silkman]

Icepack/Blacksheep
Dangerous to point fingers until we know what actually happened chaps. Aviance have their own health and safety manager who investigates incidents in accordance with ISO9002/CAP642 regulations. When still GHI they had 2 brand new Douglas tugs delivered to Manchester and within a week they were both involved in incidents.
The reason ? Douglas had fitted the wrong wheel bolts on both tugs resulting in wheels falling off and suspension failure.
Whilst I agree that standards could be improved, this will never happen until the airlines start paying the money. Ground equipment is not cheap and whilst handling agents salaries are not great, it still takes approx 20 staff for a 737/757 sized turnround (loaders,cleaners,check in staff etc.)i.e. not much cash to splash out on nice shiny new kit.
I understand that aviance inherited some appalling
equipment when they took on MAS and BD handling which is gradually being replaced, hence the extra £70m ish Go-Ahead borrowed.

[Borneo Wild Man]

Rumour has it just last week members of the RBA board were in Brussels looking at Sabena 777/A340s-anybody shed more light on this?
And I agree their 767/757s may have the worlds biggest first class toilet but the backend is shabby and outdated. <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">