37000 Feet

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DHC8-100 captain detects a pickup truck rolling backward toward the aircraft during cockpit set up and dashes outside to apply the brake before a collision can occur.

Narrative:

While completing briefings and flight planning and waiting for final weight and balance numbers; my first officer (first officer) brought to my attention that a pickup truck to the right side of aircraft began moving backwards (no driver).it was moving parallel to aircraft and there was a concern it was going to hit engine. I initially reached for the #2 fuel off handle to secure engine before impact (engine was static). We realized it was going to miss engine but would hit fuselage. I immediately released my 5 point and exited aircraft. I ran to rear of aircraft but was in fear it would impact; so I dove under aircraft belly and managed to dive in truck and slam on the break. I broke my glasses and ripped my uniform but fortunately was able to stop the truck about a foot from tail skid and fuselage. I then secured the vehicle away from aircraft and turned it off; breaks set; engine off in gear. I believe good situational awareness and the timely notification by my first officer led to our reaction to prevent a more serious event. I believe it was an honest error; but may have been caused by the manager needing to cover for lack of ground crew. He appeared after we called ramp for baggage loading. I reacted the best I could to prevent aircraft damage and possible passenger injury. Not sure about the manning problem; but adherence to safe vehicle securing around an active gate area is key. Also placement where if movement occurs it will not be towards the aircraft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DHC8-100 Captain detects a pickup truck rolling backward toward the aircraft during cockpit set up and dashes outside to apply the brake before a collision can occur.

Narrative: While completing briefings and flight planning and waiting for final weight and balance numbers; My First Officer (FO) brought to my attention that a pickup truck to the right side of aircraft began moving backwards (No driver).It was moving parallel to aircraft and there was a concern it was going to hit engine. I initially reached for the #2 fuel off handle to secure engine before impact (engine was static). We realized it was going to miss engine but would hit fuselage. I immediately released my 5 point and exited aircraft. I ran to rear of Aircraft but was in fear it would impact; so I dove under Aircraft belly and managed to dive in truck and slam on the break. I broke my glasses and ripped my uniform but fortunately was able to stop the truck about a foot from tail skid and fuselage. I then secured the vehicle away from Aircraft and turned it off; breaks set; engine off in gear. I believe good situational awareness and the timely notification by my FO led to our reaction to prevent a more serious event. I believe it was an honest error; but may have been caused by the manager needing to cover for lack of ground crew. He appeared after we called ramp for baggage loading. I reacted the best I could to prevent Aircraft damage and possible PAX injury. Not sure about the manning problem; but adherence to safe vehicle securing around an active gate area is key. Also placement where if movement occurs it will not be towards the Aircraft.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.