# Accident 19980106006099A: Boeing 727223, Philadelphia, PA, January 6, 1998

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 6, 1998, 12:10 local time
- Place: Philadelphia, PA
- Airport: Philadelphia International
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Ground Taxi, Other Airplane
- Operating rules: Air carrier (Part 121)
- Operator: AALA
- Location: 39.8908° N, 75.2296° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8908&lon=-75.2296&mi=10
- Aircraft: N845AA, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N845AA-1999-08-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Boeing 727-223 (registry code 1384074, https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-223) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727223
- Reported engine: PWA JT8D9
- People aboard: 114
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 12,400 total, 5,646 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB IAD98LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA021) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980106006099A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON 01/06/98 THE PILOT IN COMMAND OF AMERICAN AIRLINES FLT. 2027 WHILE TAXIING IN A NON-MOVEMENT AREA OF THE PHILADELPHIA INT'L AIRPORT REPORTED THAT A BAGGAGE TUG HAD DRIVEN INTO THE AIRCRAFT. NO INJURIES WERE INCURRED BY THE 107 PASSENGERS OR CREW MEMBERS.  THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN ENCLOSED TUG AND BAGGAGE CART RAN INTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE.  THE ENCLOSED CAB ON THE TUB WAS TORN OFF AND THE TUG CONTINUED UNDER THE FUSELAGE AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIING FORWARD.  THE TUG AND BAGGAGE CART STOPPED FORWARD OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE.  (.4) THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST BEEN PUSHED BACK FROM THE GATE. AS THE FLIGHT CREW WERE TAXIING IN A NON-MOVEMENT AREA, THE AIRPLANE AND A TUG COLLIDED. THE CAPTAIN FELT THE IMPACT, BUT THOUGHT THE AIRPLANE HAD EXPERIENCED A BLOWN TIRE. NEITHER HE NOR ANY OF THE COCKPIT CREW SAW THE TUG BEFORE IMPACT. ALL WITNESSES STATED THAT THE TUG DID NOT BRAKE OR SWERVE PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. EXAMINATION OF THE DAMAGED TUG AND ITS MAINTENANCE FORMS REVEALED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. NO DEFICIENCIES WERE FOUND IN THE DRIVER'S TRAINING JACKET. AFTER A 2 WEEK VACATION, THIS WAS THE DRIVER'S FIRST DAY BACK ON THE JOB.  HE WAS DRIVING THE TUG SINCE 0430, WITHOUT ANY REPORTED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. THE EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SYMPTOMS DETECTED OF ANY MEDICAL EVENTS WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. THE DRIVER RECALLED THAT 'WHILE DRIVING THE TUG, HE DROPPED HIS WATER CONTAINER, AND THE LAST THING HE COULD REMEMBER WAS REACHING DOWN FOR IT.'

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB IAD98LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD98LA021), Jan 6, 1998: Boeing 727-223 (N845AA), Philadelphia, PA, minor damage. Probable cause: failure of the tug driver to see-and-avoid the taxiing airplane.

## Other reports on N845AA (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19860221007819I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860221007819I), Feb 21, 1986: Boeing 727223 (N845AA), Omaha, NE. Crew oxygen system developed a leak and an unscheduled landing was made for repairs.
- [Incident 19851002053209I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851002053209I), Oct 2, 1985: Boeing 727223 (N845AA), St Louis, MO. Diverted after engine shutdown due to fire warning nr 3 engine. Mechanics being sent to repair aircraft.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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