NTSB Factual Report

On April 12, 2001, about 2210 Eastern Daylight Time, an Embraer EMB-135LR, N735TS, operated by American Eagle as flight 9766, was substantially damaged during pushback at the Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Cleveland, Ohio. The three crewmembers were not injured, and there were no passengers onboard. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned positioning flight to Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Norfolk, Virginia. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight to be conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to witness statements, the engines were secured, and a tug was connected to the nose wheel of the airplane in preparation for pushback. The flight crew completed the checklist to include selecting the parking brake to off. The crew then advised the tug operator that they were cleared to push. The tug operator responded, "here we go." The tug operator released the parking brake for the tug, placed the shifter into "low," and slowly pressed on the accelerator. The crew felt the airplane move about a foot, and then the nose-gear collapsed. When the crew exited the airplane they noticed chocks behind the left-main landing gear wheel. They queried station personnel about the chocks, and were advised that the chocks were placed there after the accident.

According to the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the maximum operating weight for the airplane was 44,092 pounds. At the time of the accident the airplane weighted 34,570 pounds.

According to the manufacture of the tug, when the tug was shipped from the factory it weighted 60,000 pound, had 40,000 pounds of pulling traction, and was capable of pushing-back a Douglas DC-10.

A review of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) revealed, that about a minute after the captain called for the "Before Start" checklist, the first officer called "Parking Brake," and that the captain responded "Set." About a 1 minute and 30 seconds later, the captain notified the ground person that the nosewheel steering was disengaged, the parking brake was disengaged, and that she had clearance to pushback the airplane. Three seconds later, the sound of two clunks was heard. Ten seconds later, there was a rumbling sound followed by exclamations from the captain and first officer. In addition, the landing gear warning tone, and electronic voice could be heard. The first officer remarked that there was a problem with the nose gear. Eight seconds later, the ground person asked if the parking brake was released during the pushback, and the first officer responded "affirmative." No other pertinent sounds were heard, and about 10 minutes later, electrical power was removed from the CVR and the recording ended.

A review of the flight data recorder (FDR) revealed that it was not configured to record the emergency-parking-brake lever position.

About 19 minutes before the accident, the weather at the airport was recorded as wind 270 degrees at 22 knots, gusting to 28 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, temperature 57 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 48 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.89 inches of mercury.

Examination of the nose gear assembly by the operator revealed no evidence consistent with a fatigue failure. The airplane had flown approximately 320 hours since being manufactured.

NTSB Probable Cause

An overload force being exerted on the nosewheel gear assembly for undetermined reason.