B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
Aircraft X was loaded and ready to go about 15 minutes early at spot XX in ZZZZ. After running our checklist and coordinating with ground; I instructed the ramp that we are ready for pushback. During push back we came to an abrupt stop and were met with marshalers running to the side of the aircraft with their light wands crossed. I asked the ramp personnel what the situation was and she let me know we have backed into a light pole. I instructed her to stop all movement and began coordinating with Maintenance; ZZZZ ground and Operations. Once all parties verified we had sufficient pictures and we were safe for tow; we towed into spot XX1 approximately an hour later. After deplaning the aircraft we were able to witness the damage to the Horizontal Stabilizer and the tail cone that houses the APU. Spot XX at ZZZZ is a very tight spot for a B767 aircraft. That being said the ramp personnel should take extra precaution in areas like this. A tail marshaller should be used when there is any doubt of coming close to obstacles behind the aircraft. The wing walkers should be aware of the aircraft's position at all times and are essentially another set of eyes for the Tug Driver.
After completing before start checklist; the Captain gave ramp permission to push back. ZZZ ramp; spot XX. After about one minute in push; we had an abrupt stop while still being pushed by the tug. I saw the wing walker running up with the 'X' towards the front of the aircraft. The Captain asked what happened; after a moment the tug driver admitted they hit a light pole. All occupants of the aircraft were seated with seatbelts fastened. The Captain ensured photos were taken and extra precautions in place prior to the aircraft moving again. There was nothing for us to see; until we exited the aircraft an hour late; then damage to the tail; on the APU door and left elevator was obvious. The spot XX (ZZZ) seems tight; and the driver (after the hit) said she hated pushing there because it was so close to the fuel farm. There needs to be additional wing walkers or tail walkers in place. I believe the super bright LEDs also pose a problem when looking back into them. They can severely effect night vision. Overall better training for rampers would also be beneficial; like rate of closure movements trained properly.
Air Carrier flight crew reported a ground collision with light pole during tug pusbhack from gate.