Plane crashes into tug after towbar failure - GIF

**Altair** · Mar 14, 2024, 03:42 PM

Plane crashes into tug after towbar failure.

Previously:

Boeing 737 towbar - photo
Supertug lifting up a 767 - video
Airport ground support vehicle spinning out of control - GIF
Aircraft tug on highway - GIF
Waddell's Wagon for training 747 pilots to taxi - photo

**Duke_of_URL** · Mar 15, 2024, 08:24 AM

I think it's less of a Towbar failure than in the Mechanic who was supposed to secure it to the Nosegear. It's possible the Tug operator bears responsibility, though I'll leave that to the experts. Usually there's a Mechanic, or two, "riding the brake" in the cockpit, during this time, although curiously absent here.

**rebuilder1954** · Mar 15, 2024, 09:02 AM

Hope that tug driver survived. Looked like he attempted to turn too sharply: I wonder if the nose wheels can pivot past 90 degrees? That’s about where the tow bar looks to have separated.

**wood_1** · Mar 15, 2024, 10:22 PM

Towing too fast and cut too sharp I think. Nose gear was skidding before the tow bar disconnected. From the existing marks on the asphalt it wasn't the first time that had occurred. Hope he survived...