B787-900
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Human Factors
Departure time is XA:45. AT XA:40 called the cockpit to advise crew of ready to depart on 2 occasions and no response. Tow tug was connected. Third attempt captain responded stating he was busy with things not ready to go. At XA:50 called again to see if they were ready and to advise that the tow tug was required at another airplane if he was not ready. Still not ready and only minimal communication was received. At XA:55 advised crew that the tow tractor was going to the other airplane; confirm brakes parked. Brakes parked and chocks placed at XB:00. Still no tow tractor; beacon comes on and brakes are released airplane rolls back on chocks and mechanic standing by startled and jumps clear. I request brakes set and beacon off twice he responds with we are clear to push; again I say brakes on and beacon off as we have no tow tractor; he states the check list says that he do it; also who is in control here myself or the tower; again I request for the brakes to be set and advise that he is putting people's lives on the ground at risk. The brake is set and beacon off. At XB:03 the tug arrives and is connected and advise that we are ready to push; the rest of the pushback is completed normally. At XB:08 the tug is disconnected from the airplane per normal procedures. At XB:10 the salute is given while displaying the steering pin and we wait for the confirmation; prior to this being received the captain does a steering check to verify the pin is removed; confirmation received and we depart the ramp.
Five minutes prior to scheduled departure; the leader of the pushback crew advised the B787 Captain that the ground crew was ready for pushback with no response. The Captain eventually responded that he was not ready and the tug was taken to push another aircraft. While waiting for the tug to return the Captain became ready for pushback; turned on the beacon; and released the brakes without consulting with the ground crew.