# NTSB ATL91FA090: Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, N938DL, Atlanta, GA, May 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1991, 22:18 local (May 6, 1991, 02:18 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: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 minor, 97 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8321
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8321/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA090

## Probable cause

THE VAN DRIVER'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT AND POOR DIVISION OF ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause)
  - inattentive, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

A FORD VAN USED FOR BAGGAGE TRANSPORT WAS TRANSITING, AT NIGHT, BETWEEN THE MAIN TERMINAL AND A CONCOURSE. IT WAS BEING DRIVEN ALONG THE DESIGNATED ROADWAY. WHILE CROSSING THE FIRST RAMP AREA AFTER EXITING FROM UNDER THE TERMINAL, THE VAN COLLIDED WITH A MD-88. THE RAMP & ACFT WERE WELL LIT & THE ACFT WAS IN THE CENTER OF ITS ASSIGNED TAXI LANE. THE LEFT MAIN LDG GEAR ROLLED INTO THE REAR OF THE VAN & THE VAN CAUGHT FIRE. THE ACFT WAS EVACUATED VIA EMERGENCY SLIDES WHICH RESULTED IN INJURIES. THE VAN DRIVER HAD BEEN TRAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAA REQUIRED  PROCEDURES & WAS AWARE OF CORRECT OPERATING PROCEDURES. HE STATED HE DID NOT SEE THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N938DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N938DL-2020-10-08), registration cancelled 2020-10-08, S/N 49811, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS MD-88
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-md-88) (registry code 3023688) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49811
- Engines: P&W JT8D-219 21750 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines, doing business as Atlanta Air Lines
- Departed: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ATL, Hartsfield Atlanta Intl, runway 27, 9,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 17,000 total, 9,700 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ATL, 1 nm away

## 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 19910505014319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910505014319A), May 5, 1991: Doug MD88, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Van driver failed yield right of way to taxiing airliner,collided with left wing. Dark night. Raining. Lighted 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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