# NTSB ATL89FA020: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31, N918RW, Memphis, TN, October 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1988, 11:33 local (17:33 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.029087, -90.010192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0291&lon=-90.0102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 42 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA020

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING TAXIED TO THE GATE WHEN ITS RIGHT WINGTIP STRUCK A CATERING TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN DRIVEN OFF OF THE DESIGNATED DRIVING LANES & PARTIALLY ONTO THE TAXIWAY. THE FLT CREW RPRTD THAT THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION WITHIN THE DESIGNATED DRIVING LANES WHEN THEY LAST OBSERVED IT. SHORTLY AFTER THE COCKPIT AREA OF THE ACFT PASSED THE TRUCK, THEY FELT AN IMPACT. WITNESSES RPRTD THE TRUCK LEFT THE DRIVING LANES AS THE DRIVER WAS MANEUVERING AROUND OTHER GROUND VEHICLES THAT WERE OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVING LANES. FAA & ARPT RULES REQUIRED THAT VEHICLES DRIVERS OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE TOWER BEFORE CROSSING OR OPERATING ON RUNWAYS OR TAXIWAYS. ALSO, ARPT RULES STATED THAT VEHICLE DRIVERS SHALL YIELD TO TAXIING ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N918RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N918RW-2007-10-24), registration cancelled 2007-10-24, S/N 47158, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-31
- Registry model: [Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 3022065) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-1) (registry code 52044, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47158
- Engines: P&W JT8D 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Northwest Airlines, doing business as Northwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Northwest Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: CMH, COLUMBUS, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MEM, Memphis Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; 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: 9,750 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 128 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 19881030048499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881030048499A), Oct 30, 1988: Doug DC931, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. Food service truck intruded into taxiway as driver tried to pass a parked truck. DC9 wing tip struck truck.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.