Globespan On Grass Egss
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Essex, SE England!
Was at work on the ramp today when the incident happened.
The A/C was empty and was being towed to a remote stand when it ended up on the Grass at the end of Sat 3!
We did'nt get the full info from the ramp guys we know down there but it seems that the Engineer who was supposed to be ''Riding the Brakes'' was in the back and not in the left hand seat as he was meant to be. Had he have been so then he would have applied the brakes and nothing would have happened!
The whole point of an engineer being onboard is to prevent things like this happening, we shall wait and see what happens to him next. The A/C has now been moved and is on one of the 70's remote stands. They used Airbags and Tractors to pull her free.
Matt.
The A/C was empty and was being towed to a remote stand when it ended up on the Grass at the end of Sat 3!
We did'nt get the full info from the ramp guys we know down there but it seems that the Engineer who was supposed to be ''Riding the Brakes'' was in the back and not in the left hand seat as he was meant to be. Had he have been so then he would have applied the brakes and nothing would have happened!
The whole point of an engineer being onboard is to prevent things like this happening, we shall wait and see what happens to him next. The A/C has now been moved and is on one of the 70's remote stands. They used Airbags and Tractors to pull her free.
Matt.
Ut Sementem Feeceris
Joined: Jul 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,790
Likes: 2,314
From: UK
But even if the engineer was "down the back", why / how was the tug disconnected without a confirmation the the brakes were set to park?
Who looks after GS at STN? Who was towing - agents or engineers? Can'timagine GS are too impressed.......
A4
Who looks after GS at STN? Who was towing - agents or engineers? Can'timagine GS are too impressed.......
A4
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Essex, SE England!
A4.
I've not had the full info on what happened yet but as a Tug driver myself i can only assume that the Sheers pins gave way on the towbar causing the A/C to veer off in a different direction to the tug.
This happens rarely and the last time i can recall it happening was to a friend of mine towing a 733 about 2 years ago!
If i find out anymore i will update the posts.
Matt.
I've not had the full info on what happened yet but as a Tug driver myself i can only assume that the Sheers pins gave way on the towbar causing the A/C to veer off in a different direction to the tug.
This happens rarely and the last time i can recall it happening was to a friend of mine towing a 733 about 2 years ago!
If i find out anymore i will update the posts.
Matt.
Ut Sementem Feeceris
Joined: Jul 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,790
Likes: 2,314
From: UK
Well that's news to me! I thought the shear pin just allowed the tow bar to "telescope" i.e. give it a bit of play to absorb the load as the pin breaks. I didn't know that it disconnected the bar completely and let the aircraft loose! 
Come to think of it, I can't visualise how the bar would disconnect at all.
Any more enlightened souls out there who can provide an explanation.
A4
Come to think of it, I can't visualise how the bar would disconnect at all.Any more enlightened souls out there who can provide an explanation.
A4
Thought police antagonist
Joined: Jul 2003
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 349
From: Where I always have been...firmly in the real world
Back to basics then 
Yet again, according to the posts an engineer decides that "riding the brakes" is, well, just a non event really and then guess what? Erm he / she is there for a purpose and the purpose is to stop "xxx" tons of aircraft should any of a number of potential incidents arise.
The shear pin is supposed to prevent excessive loading on the nose u/c and hence, when it does fail for whatever reason, the idea is that tug and remaining bar continue safely in one direction and a/c comes to a halt without damage and with the other bit attached, usually the towing head. Had the experience a few times and, whilst it comes as a shock, if you are actually sitting in the seat and monitoring the tow, with your feet resting on the pedals and one hand on the parking brake----well, there isn't a lot of paperwork to contend with afterwards.
Sorry, but IF it is true that said eng was down the back then no sympathy for him / her.
Yet again, according to the posts an engineer decides that "riding the brakes" is, well, just a non event really and then guess what? Erm he / she is there for a purpose and the purpose is to stop "xxx" tons of aircraft should any of a number of potential incidents arise. The shear pin is supposed to prevent excessive loading on the nose u/c and hence, when it does fail for whatever reason, the idea is that tug and remaining bar continue safely in one direction and a/c comes to a halt without damage and with the other bit attached, usually the towing head. Had the experience a few times and, whilst it comes as a shock, if you are actually sitting in the seat and monitoring the tow, with your feet resting on the pedals and one hand on the parking brake----well, there isn't a lot of paperwork to contend with afterwards.
Sorry, but IF it is true that said eng was down the back then no sympathy for him / her.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Earth
Globespan lawnmower
Hey no harm done to the beastie on the grass, it looks like it will be ok although a good lesson on not becoming complacent i think dont you agree? anyway whats all the beef about people slagging off Storm give us a break and at least tell us why you are so unhappy about them. regards,
Thought police antagonist
Joined: Jul 2003
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 349
From: Where I always have been...firmly in the real world
Well we don't know all the facts surrounding this incident, however---IF, as has been posted here the engineer was not seated and "down the back" then complacent is hardly the correct term----stupid, incompetent or just plain inept----take your pick---the salient fact is he / she should not have been anywhere else other than in the seat and monitoring the tow----as I say, my comments are based purely on the information provided on this site and, should demonstrable proof emerge that his / her abscence from the seat was not a prime causal factor then I will apologise and retract my comments. Until then however, I rest my case.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Earth
Absolutely correct sir and i agree on the statement of just plain stupid. as an engineer in quite often the same position of riding brakes etc and i would be the first to comdemn said "person's" actions. nuff said however and more details will emerge in time i'm sure, regards. 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm Sweden
The answer to all this is to use Towbarless Tractors (TBL). Then you can tow with no one on board. We use it all the time here and it has made a great improvement to our workload. We prepare the aircraft, NLG pin in, steering pin in, and brakes off, and the towing crew come and move it, just one man and a TBL. All the time I have spent trapped in the cockpit waiting for tugs and steps in the past. The only drawback with TBL is that they are very light, and easy to skid on ice. The drivers must be taught to drive carefully when its icy on the ramp.
Having said that towbars are OK if you are in the flightdeck and ready for action. The worst aircraft I can remember was the F100 which was very light on the nose when empty and if you went over a bump the nose leg extended, self centred, and the shear pins went, and the driver was off by himself!.
Having said that towbars are OK if you are in the flightdeck and ready for action. The worst aircraft I can remember was the F100 which was very light on the nose when empty and if you went over a bump the nose leg extended, self centred, and the shear pins went, and the driver was off by himself!.
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: UK
I had the shear pin go on an aircraft at EGSS a couple of years ago when I was riding the brakes and yes the tug does take off in a different direction which takes you by suprise initially, then you realise whats happening and on go the brakes (assuming you have the brake accumulator topped up to 3K)
Happy New Year to you all
)
Happy New Year to you all
)
