Accident Airbus A320-214 G-EZWC,

Date:	Wednesday 3 April 2019
Time:	15:10
Type:	Airbus A320-214
Owner/operator:	easyJet
Registration:	G-EZWC
MSN:	5236
Year of manufacture:	2012
Engine model:	CFMI CFM56-5B4/3
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 186
Aircraft damage:	Minor, repaired
Category:	Accident
Location:	Belfast International Airport (BFS/EGAA) - United Kingdom
Phase:	Pushback / towing
Nature:	Passenger - Scheduled
Departure airport:	Belfast International Airport (BFS/EGAA)
Destination airport:	Málaga Airport (AGP/LEMG)
Investigating agency:	AAIB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
EasyJet flight U26755, an Airbus A320-214, sustained damage to the right-hand engine inlet cowling during pushback at Belfast International Airport, Northern Ireland.
The aircraft was being pushed back from Stand 18 and was stopped with the tug and tow bar positioned at a significant angle to the aircrafts nose. The tow bar disconnected from the nose landing gear, and the aircraft rolled forward and struck
the tug.

Conclusion:
During the pushback, the left turn was made beyond the correct turning point because the tug driver had difficulty seeing the taxi line in the wet reflective surface of the apron. The aircraft was stopped with the tug and tow bar positioned at a significant angle to the right of the aircrafts nose and, at some point, the tow bar disconnected from the nose landing gear.
The aircraft rolled forward slowly, and the flight crew believed it was still under tow and they could not apply aircraft brakes. The aircraft was brought to a halt when it struck the tug.

Accident investigation: