Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Procedure
Everything was routine as far as boarding and the Pre-Departure Checklist. Once everything was done; we pulled the bridge; closed the door and ran the Engine Start Check. I had made the comment to the Captain that it might be a while before we push back due to the congestion in the alley by mainline 737s. I could see a few 737s in the line behind us. When I called for pushback once the alley cleared out; the Captain had confirmed the ground crew was ready. Ramp Control acknowledged us and told us to stand by for push. She said she would call us back in a few minutes. After approximately five minutes; she called back 'Aircraft X cleared to push.' I read back the exact instructions and the Captain repeated: 'We are cleared to push.' We got about halfway back from the gate when we hit the aircraft that was in line to taxi out directly behind us. We were not sure if we actually hit the aircraft or exactly what had happened behind us. There was a bit of confusion with the ground crew. A person; I believe to be the right wing walker; had approached the tug operator; and they were discussing something. We asked them to pull us back into the gate so we could open the door to get a better understanding of what happened and examine the extent of the damage. This is the point where the ground crew confirmed that we hit the aircraft behind us. At the same time; we hear another aircraft on Ramp Control telling Control that the aircraft that just pulled out of the Alley had sustained damage. The crew on the aircraft we had hit must have not yet figured out what happened. After we are pulled back to the gate; we opened the door and saw the extent of the damage. At that point; calls were placed to Maintenance; the Manager On Duty; and the Chief Pilot to find the proper course of action.Most of the factors are to do with the ground crew. I am unable to speak to them.I think more situational training [is needed for] the ground crew.
Flight crew reported that after receiving clearance for pushback; the ground crew pushed their aircraft into another aircraft on the ramp.