# NTSB ATL88IA036: Lockheed L-188C, N861U, Atlanta, GA, November 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1987, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.6367° N, 84.4279° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HARTSFIELD/JACKSON ATLANTA INTL (ATL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6367&lon=-84.4279&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88IA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88IA036

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating
  - object - vehicle
  - propeller - improper use of, pilot in command
  - propeller system/accessories,reversing system - engaged
  - miscellaneous equipment - improper use of, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER TWO ABORTED TAKEOFFS FOR A RPM FLUCTATION PROBLEM AT TAKEOFF PWR, THE CREW RETD TO THE CARGO RAMP. THEY PARKED THE ACFT, WITH ENGINES RUNNING, ADJACENT TO THE GND PWR CART USED FOR STARTING THE ENGINES. THE PWR CART HAD BEEN LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE PWR. AFTER SOME TROUBLESHOOTING THE CREW DECIDED TO ATTEMPT ANOTHER TAKEOFF. THEY SIGNALED FOR A PUSH BACK. BEFORE THE TUG ARRIVED, THE GND PWR CART WAS STRUCK BY THE NUMBER 3 PROPELLER. THE FLT CREW STATED THAT AT NO TIME WAS REVERSE THRUST SELECTED. THE GND PWR CART TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE IN REVERSE AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS OFF. A GROUND HANDLER STATED THAT HE NOTED A TIA MECHANIC SIGNAL THE PLT TO 'POWER BACK'. THE PLT REPORTEDLY SHRUGGED AND THE GROUND CREW FELT A WIND THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM REVERSE THRUST. THEY STOPPED THE PUSH BACK. THE #3 PROP WAS FOUND IN REVERSE AFTER THE INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N861U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: LOCKHEED L-188C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2018
- Airframe hours: 42979
- Engines: ALLISON 501D-13 3750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Trans International Airlines
- Registered owner: United Aviation Serv. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: MCN, MACON, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ATL, Atlanta Hartsfield

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,200 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19871114081629I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871114081629I), Nov 14, 1987: Lkheed 188C, Atlanta, GA, Minor damage. Unattended power cart rolled into idling prop of #3 engine while aircraft was preparing to taxi off ramp.

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.

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