Boeing 717-200 accident near Atlanta, Georgia, August 1, 2003
On August 1, 2003 at about 7:10 pm local time, a Boeing 717-200, registered N970AT, was substantially damaged in an accident near Atlanta, Georgia (The William B Hartsfield Atlan). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). No one was hurt; 118 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the ground crew to follow powerback procedures and directives.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 2003 · about 7:10 pm local time
- Place
- Atlanta, Georgia · The William B Hartsfield Atlan · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 118 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing 717-200 · all 717-200s on the register
- Registration
- N970AT · registry record · serial 55031
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the captain, after receiving permission from the ramp tower to commence the power-back, he indicated to the marshaller he was cleared for the power-back. During the power-back while lining up parallel with the north-south taxi line the captain felt a loud thump on the left side of the airplane. During the power-back turn a baggage tug was observed moving behind the airplane. The marshaller observed the tug driver getting jet blasted and one of the carts lying on the ground. The left wing walker, observed the tug driver come to a complete stop in the neutral area. The wing walker motioned the tug driver cross behind the airplane before the marshaller began the power-back. The tug driver pointed at his tug as if something had gone wrong, and the airplane collided with the baggage cart. The tug driver, observed the wing walker clear the tug to pass behind the airplane. As the tug driver proceeded slowly behind the airplane, the tug driver saw the trailing edge of the airplane coming towards him. In an attempt to speed up to avoid the airplane, the wingtip of the airplane struck the forth cart knocking it off of the transporter. Examination of the left wing revealed, the trailing edge of the aileron and wingtip were buckled. Review of the Airtran Standard Practice Flight Crew Powerback procedures, General Guidelines 6719.3, Part (D) states: It is the responsibility of the ground crew to ensure that the ramp area is clear of foreign objects and conflicting traffic before and during powerback.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 3,434 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,973 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, June 14, 2003; 422 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 121,000 lb
- Seats: 123
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce BR715-A2-30 (turbojet); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ATL Atlanta GA at 7:30 pm
- Destination: BWI Baltimore MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 7:30 pm from ATL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 5 | |||
| Passengers | 113 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.