Date: 201307
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: No Aircraft
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Ramp; Vehicle Driver
Human factors: Human-Machine Interface
Anomaly: Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Ground Personnel
Result: General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Equipment / Tooling
Primary problem: Equipment / Tooling

Narrative: I had a [vehicle] accident while exiting the claim area on my tractor delivering city bags that was left on the gate. While making the turn to exit the claim area; I felt the tractor surge forward. The sudden burst in acceleration was unexpected and caught me completely by surprise. I was applying minimal pressure to the accelerator pedal. The surge caused me to over steer the turn and the tractor and I collided into the wall. I immediately took my right foot off of the gas pedal; applied the brake and attempted to correct the course my vehicle by steering to the right; however; there was a lot of play in the steering and the tractor did not begin changing direction immediately following my turn. I would estimate that the tractor did not begin changing direction until the steering wheel was turned approximately 45 degrees. The smaller tractors with the batteries located on top have this tendency. Due to my inability to correct the errant left turn caused by the surge from the tractor; the front wheel collided with the curb and caused my left foot to become dislodged from inside the tractor. My left foot was pinned between the wall (on the left) and my tractor (on the right). My foot remained pinned against the wall until the tractor came to a complete stop. In spite of the initial pain I tightened my shoelaces and went back to my assigned gate. I thought it may have been just a sprain. A Supervisor observed me hobbling around and asked if I was okay. I told her that I hurt/ turned my ankle but I thought I would be okay. I continued working; pushed my flight; turned in my equipment and limped back to my locker. [Another] Supervisor saw me and inquired about my limp. He asked if I was okay. I told him I hurt/turned my ankle but I was hoping it would be OK. Later; as I was on my way toward bus; a Lead observed my limping condition and advised me to report the incident to the Supervisor's Office just to be safe. I immediately went to the Supervisor's Office. No one was there. Ten minutes later; [another lead] came to the office and I asked him if there was a supervisor I could report my injury [to]. He said he would call the Operations Center. After reaching someone in Operations she told me to remain in the office to await further instructions. Minutes later I received a phone call from a Supervisor who informed me that he was on his way home and that the medical office was closed. He asked if I needed to go to the emergency room and I told him I did not think so. The pain seemed manageable at the time. He then told me to go home; ice it; and if it did not get better to come in the next day and he would send me to medical. I then got on the bus; went to my car; and drove home. The swelling and pain in my foot increased the whole time. By the time I got home the pain became unbearable and I had to go the emergency room. I was examined and learned that I had suffered 4 metatarsal fractures.




Synopsis: A ramp employee was injured when his tractor contacted a wall following a mechanical problem. He did not immediately recognize the extent of his injury; but later discovered that he had fractured his foot.