Narrative:

During a quick turn an inoperative APU was discovered; called in; and MEL'd. As this was being done passengers were loaded. Gate agent had requested that additional passengers be added if weight permitted. First officer determined that passengers could be added and they were brought aboard. Paperwork was handed out while captain received clearance from ground crew to start #2 with ground power. After #2 start and closing of cabin door pushback clearance was obtained and ground crew was told to push. During the push the captain determined that added passengers had not been updated on the form (the first officer had entered the weights added to the wt/balance calculation; however). It was decided that the pushback crew could be requested to correct the passenger count on the form. The pushback crew had finished the push and were disconnecting the tug as the captain and first officer gestured to gain their attention. They plugged their headset back in and were requested to correct the passenger count on the load manifest. They unplugged the headset and everyone 'thumbed up' as the tug/towbar pulled away. The first officer received ramp clearance to taxi. Before all flows and after start checklists could be completed aircraft began to roll. Parking brake was discovered to be not set and AC generator had not yet come on line. Aircraft rolled about 3 feet and parking brake was set to stop movement with a noticeable jolt. Flight attendant was contacted to determine that passengers and cabin was ok (even though jolt was noticeable; a water bottle on cockpit floor had not fallen over). Checklists/flows were completed and single engine taxi was commenced. Time pressure/task loading/distraction caused interruption to normal pushback/brake setting flow. Emphasize proper vigilance during paperwork procedures to ensure overlooked items do not cause distractions to later steps. Ensure undivided attention to pushback procedures is maintained to prevent omission of proper brake setting/signals.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An air carrier Flight Crew realized after tow bar disconnect that the aircraft was moving and quickly set the brake; narrowly avoiding a collision with ground equipment and personnel.

Narrative: During a quick turn an inoperative APU was discovered; called in; and MEL'd. As this was being done passengers were loaded. Gate Agent had requested that additional passengers be added if weight permitted. FO determined that passengers could be added and they were brought aboard. Paperwork was handed out while Captain received clearance from ground crew to start #2 with ground power. After #2 start and closing of cabin door pushback clearance was obtained and Ground Crew was told to push. During the push the Captain determined that added passengers had not been updated on the form (the F/O had entered the weights added to the wt/balance calculation; however). It was decided that the Pushback Crew could be requested to correct the passenger count on the form. The Pushback Crew had finished the push and were disconnecting the tug as the Captain and F/O gestured to gain their attention. They plugged their headset back in and were requested to correct the passenger count on the load manifest. They unplugged the headset and everyone 'thumbed up' as the tug/towbar pulled away. The F/O received ramp clearance to taxi. Before all flows and after start checklists could be completed aircraft began to roll. Parking brake was discovered to be not set and AC generator had not yet come on line. Aircraft rolled about 3 feet and parking brake was set to stop movement with a noticeable jolt. Flight Attendant was contacted to determine that passengers and cabin was OK (Even though jolt was noticeable; a water bottle on cockpit floor had not fallen over). Checklists/flows were completed and single engine taxi was commenced. Time pressure/task loading/distraction caused interruption to normal pushback/brake setting flow. Emphasize proper vigilance during paperwork procedures to ensure overlooked items do not cause distractions to later steps. Ensure undivided attention to pushback procedures is maintained to prevent omission of proper brake setting/signals.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.