# NTSB DCA16CA133: Boeing 737 76Q, N565WN, San Diego, CA, April 14, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 14, 2016, 16:24 local (23:24 UTC) - Place: San Diego, CA - Coordinates: 32.733612, -117.18972 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7336&lon=-117.1897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 121 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 93010 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93010/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93010 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA133 ## Probable cause the ramp agents failure to keep his right hand at a safe distance from the underside of the moving belt. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing 737-76Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=13845AA), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 737-76Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=13845AA), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis On Thursday, April 14, 2016, at approximately 1624 PDT a Southwest Airlines' ramp agent incurred a serious injury to his right arm and hand during the baggage unloading process at San Diego International Airport (KSAN), San Diego, California. Flight 3060 from Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico, arrived into Gate 2 at 1617 PDT, at which time ground personnel positioned a beltloader adjacent to the forward cargo bin entry door and began offloading baggage from the aircraft. Two Agents toward the forward portion of the aircraft were discussing their plan to unload a heavy powered wheelchair out of the forward cargo bin. One agent was situated in the cargo bin, while the other was on the ground to the left side of the beltloader. Based on a review of video footage, as they were talking, the agent on the ground was observed placing and removing his hand on the top of the running belt in a recurring motion. He then placed his hand at the bottom of the belt and appeared to attempt the same behavior (riding his hand on the belt). Moments later the ramp agent's arm became lodged in the beltloader, and he immediately fell to the ground. Other ramp personnel immediately became aware of the situation and attempted to aid the ramp agent. The beltloader was turned off with the ramp agent's arm still lodged inside the belt loader. A ramp supervisor obtained a pair of scissors and cut the belt on the beltloader off. However, the ramp agent was still not able to free himself. The supervisor quickly retrieved tools, removed the belt's access panel and roller bolts, and finally freed the ramp agent's arm from the belt. Paramedics arrived moments later. The ramp agent was examined in the ambulance and then taken to the hospital. The ramp agent sustained a burn on his forearm, a three-inch laceration on his hand, and a broken right wrist. It is unknown why the ramp agent decided to place his hand on the underside of the beltloader. Southwest Airlines has precautions and established procedures for ramp operations that is contained in their ground operations manual. ## Factual narrative On Thursday, April 14, 2016, at approximately 1624 PDT a Southwest Airlines' ramp agent incurred a serious injury to his right arm and hand during the baggage unloading process at San Diego International Airport (KSAN), San Diego, California. Flight 3060 from Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico, arrived into Gate 2 at 1617 PDT, at which time ground personnel positioned a beltloader adjacent to the forward cargo bin entry door and began offloading baggage from the aircraft. Two Agents toward the forward portion of the aircraft were discussing their plan to unload a heavy powered wheelchair out of the forward cargo bin. One agent was situated in the cargo bin, while the other was on the ground to the left side of the beltloader. Based on a review of video footage, as they were talking, the agent on the ground was observed placing and removing his hand on the top of the running belt in a recurring motion. He then placed his hand at the bottom of the belt and appeared to attempt the same behavior (riding his hand on the belt). Moments later the ramp agent's arm became lodged in the beltloader, and he immediately fell to the ground. Other ramp personnel immediately became aware of the situation and attempted to aid the ramp agent. The beltloader was turned off with the ramp agent's arm still lodged inside the belt loader. A ramp supervisor obtained a pair of scissors and cut the belt on the beltloader off. However, the ramp agent was still not able to free himself. The supervisor quickly retrieved tools, removed the belt's access panel and roller bolts, and finally freed the ramp agent's arm from the belt. Paramedics arrived moments later. The ramp agent was examined in the ambulance and then taken to the hospital. The ramp agent sustained a burn on his forearm, a three-inch laceration on his hand, and a broken right wrist. It is unknown why the ramp agent decided to place his hand on the underside of the beltloader. Southwest Airlines has precautions and established procedures for ramp operations that is contained in their ground operations manual. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N565WN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N565WN-2026-04-22), registration cancelled 2026-04-22, S/N 30282, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 737 76Q (76Q) - Registry model: [Boeing 737-76Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-76q) (registry code 13845AA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B22 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b22-series) (registry code 13043, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30282 - Year built: 2002 - Engines: CFM INTL CFM56-7B22 turbo fan; CFM INTL CFM56-7B22 turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Southwest Airlines Co - Registered owner: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest Na Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: KABQ, Albuquerque, NM - Destination: KSAN, San Diego, CA - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: KSAN, San Diego International Airpor ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F - Observed at: KSAN ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93010. 594 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481898&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.