Narrative:

Prior to pushback and due to the weather; five passengers were not comfortable and wanted to deplane. After the passengers deplaned; we received new pwb (performance weight and balance) numbers; briefed and ran the before start checklist and the before push checklist. We then called for push; and ground advised us of an approximate 10 minute weather delay for departures. Earlier; due to the weather in the vicinity of the airport; the ramp personnel were not able to utilize headsets for pushback. We conducted a briefing concerning the use of hand signals with the ramp crew.in the effort to be in position to depart when departures resumed; we called for push and were given clearance to push. In anticipation of pushing; the parking brake was released and I went to signal brakes released. Without my knowledge; the ramp crew had left the ramp due to weather and lightning (ramp closure). At that time; I began to receive several ACARS messages from dispatch concerning the weather and routing. During the distraction with my head down; typing and the parking brake released the aircraft rolled back a few feet. I looked up and saw the operations agent giving me the stop signal. Simultaneously; the first officer and I applied the brakes; stopping the aircraft without injury to the passengers; crew; or ramp personnel or damage to the aircraft. We continued to our destination without any further incident.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot released the parking brake for pushback; but the ground crew were not present and the aircraft which was not connected to a tug; rolled a few feet on its own.

Narrative: Prior to pushback and due to the weather; five passengers were not comfortable and wanted to deplane. After the passengers deplaned; we received new PWB (Performance Weight and Balance) numbers; briefed and ran the Before Start Checklist and the Before Push Checklist. We then called for push; and Ground advised us of an approximate 10 minute weather delay for departures. Earlier; due to the weather in the vicinity of the airport; the Ramp Personnel were not able to utilize headsets for pushback. We conducted a briefing concerning the use of hand signals with the Ramp Crew.In the effort to be in position to depart when departures resumed; we called for push and were given clearance to push. In anticipation of pushing; the parking brake was released and I went to signal brakes released. Without my knowledge; the Ramp Crew had left the ramp due to weather and lightning (ramp closure). At that time; I began to receive several ACARS messages from Dispatch concerning the weather and routing. During the distraction with my head down; typing and the parking brake released the aircraft rolled back a few feet. I looked up and saw the Operations Agent giving me the stop signal. Simultaneously; the First Officer and I applied the brakes; stopping the aircraft without injury to the Passengers; Crew; or Ramp Personnel or damage to the aircraft. We continued to our destination without any further incident.

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.