B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
During push back; ramp crew appeared to use excessive 'angle' to maneuver aircraft during pushback. A loud bang was heard and push crew stopped push. They explained that [the] tow bar had broken and brakes needed to be set as push was ending. They advised Maintenance was needed and we called Maintenance. They arrived and assessed there was damage to the nose gear and a 'super tug' would be needed to bring us back to gate. Eventually we were towed back to the gate. Maintenance entry was produced by crew and [the] aircraft [was] taken out of service.
Broken tow bar during pushback following several loud metal-on-metal noises. Maintenance determined that the push also resulted in damage to the nose landing gear. Maintenance pinned the gear and asked flight crew to re-pressurize the hydraulic system to straighten the nose gear. Maintenance then called for a super tug to effect the gate return.
B737 flight crew reported pushback tug driver used an extreme angle resulting in a broken tow bar and damaged nose gear.