Commercial Fixed Wing
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Equipment / Tooling
I was runner on two flights as a quick turn. Both pit team mates were finishing loading gate checks. I completed the walk around and sat in push back. I made contact with the flight deck using push verbiage. Captain asked me if it were a nose capture push; I responded negative. Captain informed me brakes were released and we were clear to push. With wing walkers in place; I informed flight deck that we were beginning push. As soon as the aircraft started to move; I noticed the tow bar moving strangely (wobbly). I immediately stated; 'Breakaway sir breakaway.' I think we had only moved less than a few feet. The Captain slowly brought the aircraft to a stop and set his brakes. I never lost contact with the flight deck. Captain asked me to explain what happened. At the time; I thought the tow bar was incorrectly hooked up. I then motioned to my wing walker to come over. The tow bar was attached to the aircraft but not the pushback. There was no damage or broken shear pin. I asked the Captain if he wanted Maintenance to come out to aircraft. He declined and said they were OK with the push. We reattached the tow bar and resumed the push. The Captain was complimentary on my verbiage and our handling of the situation. I thanked him for his patience and calmness.
Ground crew reported that during pushback of an aircraft the tow bar malfunctioned and a breakaway occurred.