Probable cause
The fuel truck driver backing up in the direction of the airplane without the use of marshallers.
NTSB analysis
According to the flight crew, after pushback they received instructions from the ground controller to hold their position due to a 30-minute delay before takeoff. While they were holding, a fuel truck began backing up in their direction without the assistance of marshallers. The captain attempted to get the drivers attention by flashing the airplane’s landing lights. However, the fuel truck driver continued backing up and struck the airplane resulting in substantial damage to an area under the first officer’s window. The captain immediately shut down the right engine and made a public address announcement for the passengers to remain seated. Post-accident inspection revealed a hole in the forward fuselage of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for DCA21LA226 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 17, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Asheville Rgnl (AVL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bombardier Inc CL-600-2B19
- N-number
- N444ZW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2003
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.