Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft; Equipment / Tooling
We were being pushed back from the gate at ZZZ. The push back process was proceeding normally. The tug driver was following all standard procedures and was operating the tug with great care. The tug started to turn the aircraft to point the tail to the south. The tug was approximately five degrees into the turn when there was a loud bang followed by the airplane detaching from the tug. The tug driver told me to set brakes and I gently applied brakes until the plane came to a gentle stop. I then set the parking brake. The tug driver then told me that the airplane came off of the tow bar and the front wheel sustained damage. I informed Dispatch and Maintenance of the situation.
CRJ 900 Captain reported tow bar became detached from aircraft on push back resulting in damage to the front wheel.