Commercial Fixed Wing
Workload; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors
Upon arriving for my 3rd bank trip of the morning to find no equipment prepared; I proactively began gate set up and prep work for a trip with a large outbound total. During the trip; at departure time; we received about 10 more last minute bags. I instructed my wing walkers to do a walk around while I scanned and closed out the trip. As the walk around was finishing; I got in the tug to push and try to ensure an on time departure. With my walk around complete; maintenance standing there and a supervisor present; I did not touch check my tow bar connections as is my routine pushback procedure. (I had connected it improperly). Upon pushback; the aircraft broke away from the push tug and travelled about 5-10 feet disconnected. I immediately contacted the pilot and instructed him to apply the brakes on the aircraft. We set the brakes; re-connected the towbar; continued the push. During the following push back; while straightening the aircraft; the shear pin snapped and I once again immediately halted the push. I contacted maintenance; to ensure no aircraft damage (the aircraft checked out as ok and departed). I then immediately reported the incident to my supervisor.
Pushback tug operator reported several problems during pushback procedure that resulted from deviation from ramp safety SOP.