Embraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR accident near Miami, Florida, October 23, 2021
On October 23, 2021 at about 1:55 pm local time, a 2017 Embraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR, registered N252NN, was involved in an accident during pushback/tow (engine not oper) near Miami, Florida (Miami Intl airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). 1 person was seriously injured; 62 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An abrupt jerk of the airplane as the captain applied the parking brake during the tow that caused a flight attendant to fall and break her wrist.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 23, 2021 · about 1:55 pm local time
- Place
- Miami, Florida · Miami Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 62 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Embraer S A ERJ 170-200 LR, built 2017 · all ERJ 170-200 LRs on the register
- Registration
- N252NN · registry record · serial 17000642
- Damage
- Not recorded
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Envoy flight 4265 experienced a jolt during pushback and a flight attendant broke a wrist. According to the captain, after the “Before Start Checklist” was completed, the flightcrew was connected to the ground crew push-tug operator for push-back via the interphone. The push-tug operator informed him that he was ready for the captain to release the parking brake, and upon the captain doing so, the push began. During the final push, when the airplane transitioned from reverse to forward, the captain said that the communications connection with the ground crew deteriorated, and he believed he heard the push-tug operator say “set parking brake”, when actually the push-tug operator was directing the flight crew to start engines. The captain said that as a result he applied the parking brake while the tug operator was pulling the airplane forward, which resulted in a sudden jerk. The captain also said that the push-tug operator was difficult to understand because of his accent, which combined with the faulty interphone connection, resulted in the miscommunication. At the time of the event, two flight attendants (FA) were in the aisle performing the passenger safety demonstration. No. 1 FA was thrown against seat 4D, and No. 2 FA was thrown to the floor, hitting her head, back, and wrist, and was unable to stand. The airplane was towed back to the gate, and the No. 2 FA was taken to a local hospital where she was diagnosed with a fractured left wrist.
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
What happened, in order
- Comm system malf/failure during pushback/tow (engine not oper) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Language/accent › Ground crew
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Communication (personnel) › Interpretation/understanding › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Communications system › Interphone › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,658 hours in all; 582 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 24, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,421 hours in all; 574 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 22, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 88
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Ge CF34-8E5 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Ge CF34-8E5 (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Operator: Envoy Air
The flight
- Destination: RDU Raleigh/Durham NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 3 | ||
| Passengers | 59 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on July 20, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Employee Statements - Flight and Cabin Crew | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.