Bombardier CL600 2D24 - 900 N943LR accident near San Antonio, Texas

Probable cause

Failure of the tow bar shear pin, which resulted in the tug operator’s loss of control of the airplane during pushback operations. Contributing to the accident was the tug operator’s inability to communicate to the flight crew to apply the airplane’s brakes.

NTSB analysis

During pushback from the gate, the tug positioned the airplane on the taxiway. Before disconnecting, the tug reversed and the airplane rolled forward while still attached to the tug. As the airplane rolled past the tug, the tug impacted the left side of the fuselage. The tow bar pin was found sheared, but it could not be determined if the pin failed before or during the tow operation. Further, the operator did not have an immediate means of communicating with the flight crew the need to apply the brakes while the tug was still attached.

The tug operator's postaccident urine test was positive for marijuana, which indicated prior use. However, it could not be determined whether the tug operator was impaired by the effects of marijuana at the time of the event.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN14LA430 for the full record.