Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Procedure
The aircraft began to move while parked at the gate without the intent of it moving. It was rolling toward the jet bridge and ground equipment. The parking brake had been released in preparation for the aircraft to be pulled into the [tug]. The ground crew removed the chocks without the [tug] in position and the aircraft began to roll toward the [tug]. We noticed aircraft movement and another ground crew knocked on the side of the aircraft. I quickly stepped on the brakes and the aircraft stopped.The ground crew did not communicate that they were removing the chocks. We had not yet run any checklists and there was no hydraulic power yet on the aircraft. The cause of the event was the ground crew removing the chocks without any communication with the flight deck. We were fortunate that the brake accumulators had enough pressure remaining to stop the aircraft. It was apparent that the ground crew individual who removed the chocks was unaware of the possible consequences of their actions. The other ground crew individual; the one who knocked on the side of the aircraft; was also instructing the unaware person to move the [tug] out of the way. It appeared that they were training the other individual.
Just closed the main cabin door and released the parking brake to record the time for ACARS to meet a minimum turn time for an on time departure for a ferry flight. This is a common practice and within normal operating standards to release the brake after the door closes. Both pilots were heads down confirming routing entered in the FMS for the upcoming flight and reviewing the weather for departure. The aircraft started slowly moving forward and when both pilots looked outside. It appeared as if the ground crew was pulling the aircraft into the pushback tug to capture the nose wheel as is also common practice. However neither of the pilots gave any brake release signal; or chocks out signal; verbal or non-verbal to the ground crew.
CRJ-700 flight crew reported that their aircraft started rolling forward at the gate when ramp personnel removed the chocks without informing the flight crew.