# NTSB ATL89LA172: Boeing 737-291, N7375F, Atlanta, GA, June 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1989, 10:38 local (14:38 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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 105 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8043
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8043/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA172

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE GROUND EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW NORMAL SAFETY PROCEDURES.  HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE OPERATION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller blast or jet exhaust/suction, standing - engine(s) operating
  - procedures/directives - not followed, ground personnel (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, ground personnel (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING STOPPED ON CONCOURSE 'C' TO DEPLANE PASSENGERS, A GROUND EMPLOYEE WALKED BEHIND THE #2 ENGINE TO CHOCK THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR. AS HE WENT BEHIND THE ENGINE, THE JET BLAST (EXHAUST) HURLED HIM ABOUT FIVE FEET TO THE GROUND. THE EMPLOYEE SUSTAINED A BROKEN JAW AND SEVERAL BRUISES AND LACERATIONS. HE HAD BEEN HIRED ON 6/9/89 (17 DAYS BEFORE THE ACDNT). ACCORDING TO HIS TRAINING RECORD, HE HAD RECEIVED TRAINING IN RAMP SAFETY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7375F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7375F-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N 20363, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-291
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-291](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-291) (registry code 138448W) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D-9 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-9-series) (registry code 52048, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20363
- Airframe hours: 54677
- Engines: P&W JT8D 14500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Aircraft Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: NEWARK, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ATL, Hartsfield

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 14,032 total, 224 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19890626025529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890626025529A), Jun 26, 1989: Boeing 737244, Atlanta, GA. Ground crewman was blown into air by jet blast while placing a chock as aircraft stopped at gate.

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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