NASA-LLIS-0884
Lessons Learned – Lack of Communication Leading to Aircraft Tow Incident
| Organization: | NASA |
| Publication Date: | 22 May 2000 |
| Status: | active |
| Page Count: | 2 |
scope:
Description of Driving Event:
A ground crew was towing the NASA owned B747SP to the nose docks at Raytheon E-Systems Waco facility. Damage to the aircraft was sustained when the crew was trying to position the aircraft in the nose dock. The aircraft was slightly off center and while it was being moved, it struck one side of the nose dock. The extent of the damage was about 30 square inches located on the left hand side of the aircraft just aft of the flight deck, close to the emergency escape area. Ground handling personnel did not have whistles or any other means to properly communicate with the tug driver. An alignment centering line had been painted on the hangar floor but the scaffolding had since been moved off-center without notifying all ground tow personnel.
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