# NTSB CHI90FA075: Boeing 727, N519FT, Indianapolis, IN, February 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1990, 23:50 local (Feb 1, 1990, 04:50 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.730365, -86.290779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7304&lon=-86.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 6 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14523
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14523/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA075

## Probable cause

THE TUG OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE TUG, POSSIBLY DUE TO HAVING INADVERTENTLY PLACED OR CAUGHT HIS BUILT-UP, STEEL-TOE BOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, standing
  - object - vehicle
  - equipment,other - uncontrolled, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE BOEING 727 WAS CHOCKED AWAITING A TUG.  A MECHANIC/RAMP EMPLOYEE BROUGHT A TUG AND TOW BAR TO THE AIRCRAFT.  AFTER APPROACHING THE AIRCRAFT, HE STOPPED THE TUG, DISCONNECTED THE TOW BAR FROM THE TUG AND CONNECTED IT TO THE NOSE GEAR OF THE AIRCRAFT.  HE RE-BOARDED THE TUG TO BRING IT CLOSER TO THE TOW BAR FOR ATTACHMENT.  RATHER THAN STOPPING, THE TUG CONTINUED FORWARD AND CONTACTED THE BAR, WHICH SLID OFF THE FACE OF THE TUG.  THE TUG CONTINUED FORWARD AND CONTACT WAS MADE WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE, CRUSHING THE EMPLOYEE BETWEEN THE TUG AND THE AIRPLANE.  THE TUG DRIVER WAS WEARING A BUILT-UP SHOE ON HIS RIGHT FOOT.  TESTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE ACCIDENT REVEALED THAT WITH THE SHOE PLACED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL OF THE TUG, BRAKING ACTION OF THE TUG WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO  STOP THE VEHICLE.  SCUFF MARKS AND SIGNS OF SCRAPING WERE NOTED ON THE TOE OF THE BOOT, THOUGH THE SOURCE OF THE SCRAPE/SCUFF MARKS WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N519FT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19387
- Engines: P&W JT8D 15500 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Federal Express
- Registered owner: Aviation Sales Company Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: DTW, DETROIT, MI
- Destination: IND
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IND, Indianapolis Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 9,100 total, 1,400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND

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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