Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Aircraft
While being pushed back from the gate and cleared to start engines we noticed the Blue System Jam light had illuminated on the SERVO CTL panel. We completed the start sequence and I informed the push back crew we had a problem and asked them to hold on. During this exchange I could barely hear the tug driver due to excessive engine noise. I asked him to position the Mic closer to his mouth. At this point we turned our attention to the Jam light. We contacted maintenance and following their trouble shooting procedures (cycling Jam switch on/off while moving controls) we were successful in fixing the problem. Jam light extinguished. We were now ready to Taxi. I turned the Taxi light on; scanned my side of the airplane announcing it clear; released the parking brake; and began to apply power. I immediately heard the ground crew calling me on the intercom. I quickly stopped what I was doing. I do not think the airplane moved thanks to the quick response by the tug crew. The tug was not connected. I asked the driver if everything was ok and he said yes. The tug crew then cleared off on my side and we continued our taxi. I forgot I requested the tug crew to remain in place while we addressed our problem. I believe this can be prevented by creating a reminder (e.g. a cup; twist tie; etc.) on the throttles. Since keeping a tug crew in place is not the normal habit pattern better briefing between aircrew would have focused greater attention on the fact the pushback crew was still in front of the aircraft.
A300 Captain experiences a maintenance issue during pushback and asks the pushback crew to standby. The problem is quickly resolved but the Captain forgets the crew is standing by and attempts to taxi. The pushback crew quickly informs the Captain of their presence and no damage or injuries result.