Event IAD98LA036

Factual narrative

On March 9, 1998, at 2345 eastern standard time, a Canadair CL-600-2B19, N937CA, owned and operated by Comair Inc., was substantially damaged when it was struck by a baggage tug while standing at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG), Covington, Kentucky. The 2 flight crewmembers and 13 passengers were not injured. A cabin attendant on the airplane and two tug occupants received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the scheduled passenger flight that originated at CVG, approximately 2330. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. The airplane was standing second in line to be de-iced with position and anti-collision lights illuminated. In a written statement, the Captain said: "We came to a stop, and after approximately 2 minutes...felt a strong jolt and the nose of the aircraft was pushed sideways about 8 feet. I looked out and could see a baggage tug impaled on our left wing tip." In a written statement, the tug driver, who was employed by Comair Inc., said he completed two trips past the de-ice pad prior to the collision. Each time the tug was sprayed with de-ice solution (glycol), obscuring the windshield. When the driver attempted to clear his view with the windshield wiper after the first trip, the wiper broke off. He said, "I couldn't see anything because of the glycol...I was on the ramp road. I couldn't see out the tug [and] never seen the aircraft. I ran into the wing." Examination of the tug by airport police and company mechanics revealed the wiper was no longer installed. The lights and brakes were operational. According to the Comair Customer Services Training Manual Ramp Safety Rules: "SAFETY IS ALWAYS #1 (Never allow yourself or others to make you take short cuts)...A six foot clearance must be maintained between ground equipment and aircraft at all times. A 10 foot clearance must be maintained during inclement weather (snow, rain, ice, etc.). If you have any doubt, stop!...Never operate ground service equipment that is not functioning properly or in need of repair. Immediately report any vehicle in this condition to a supervisor so that corrective action can be taken." Weather reported at the time of the accident was measured ceiling 2,300 overcast with snow. Winds were from 310 degrees at 17 knots gusting to 22 knots. The airplane was standing second in line to be de-iced with position and anti-collision lights illuminated, when it was struck from behind by a baggage tug. The tug impacted the trailing edge of the left wing in the vicinity of the left wing tip. The tug driver said he completed two trips past the de-ice pad prior to the collision. Each time the tug was sprayed with de-ice solution (glycol), obscuring the windshield. When the driver attempted to clear his view with the windshield wiper after the first trip, the wiper broke off. He said, 'I couldn't see anything because of the glycol...I was on the ramp road. I couldn't see out the tug [and] never seen the aircraft. I ran into the wing.' Examination of the tug by airport police and company mechanics revealed the wiper was no longer installed. The lights and brakes were operational. According to a company training manual, 'Never operate ground service equipment that is not functioning properly or in need of repair. Immediately report any vehicle in this condition to a supervisor so that corrective action can be taken.' Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12