wheelbarrow

In aircraft handling, wheelbarrowing occurs when the centre of gravity moves so far forward that the main landing gear loses contact with the ground and the full weight transfers to the nosewheel. This happens during towing, pushback, or loading operations and is dangerous: the nosewheel and its steering assembly are not designed to bear the aircraft's total mass, and structural failure follows quickly.

The condition arises from specific loading errors or procedural lapses. Loading cargo too far forward, refuelling to maximum capacity without adjusting the load, or towing with an external tug connection point too high can all cause wheelbarrowing. On some aircraft types, even a small shift in centre of gravity forward of the published limit will lift the mains. Regional turboprops and business jets are particularly vulnerable because their centres of gravity envelopes are tighter than those of large transports.

Prevention relies on weight and balance documentation checked before any movement. Ground crews must verify that loaded items sit within the designated zones, typically marked on the fuselage or in the loading plan. Tug tow points must be used as specified, never improvised. During pushback, a marshaller watches the mains; if they visibly rise or unload, the tug releases immediately.

The nosewheel itself will show damage: bent or fractured axle, destroyed shock strut, torn hydraulic lines. Worse, wheelbarrowing during high-speed towing can cause the aircraft to nose over entirely. The term borrows from the common hand tool, where tilting the handles lifts the opposite end off the ground.