# NTSB DFW07CA189: Mitsubishi MU-2B-36, N6KF, Hobby Airport, TX, August 22, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 22, 2007, 00:15 local (06:15 UTC)
- Place: Hobby Airport, TX
- Coordinates: 29.645555, -95.278892
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6456&lon=-95.2789&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston, Texas
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA189

## Probable cause

The failure of the ramp employee to maintain clearance from the rotating propeller.  A contributing factor was the prevailing night conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - clearance - not maintained, ground personnel (cause)
  - improper decision, ground personnel
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The high-wing twin-engine airplane was not damaged and a lineman was seriously injured when the lineman inadvertently walked into the turning propeller for the number 1 engine while undergoing ground operations prior to the night flight.  The lineman, who was reported to have completed all required training, recently changed work shifts and collectively had a total of six-months of experience.  It was also reported that normally aircrews remove their own wheel chocks.  The pilot stated that as the airplane completed both engine starts, in preparation for flight, the employee quickly approached the airplane to unplug the ground power unit (GPU) when he preceded to cross beneath the left wing from forward-to-aft retrieving the left main landing gear wheel chocks.  While recovering the left wheel chocks the linemen was struck by the left engine propeller blade sustaining serious injuries.  The airplane was standing at the time of the mishap.  The pilot-in-command then performed an engine shutdown, exited the aircraft and assisted the injured linemen.  Weather at the airport was not a factor in the mishap.

## Factual narrative

The high-wing twin-engine airplane was not damaged and a lineman was seriously injured when the lineman inadvertently walked into the turning propeller for the number 1 engine while undergoing ground operations prior to the night flight.  The lineman, who was reported to have completed all required training, recently changed work shifts and collectively had a total of six-months of experience.  It was also reported that normally aircrews remove their own wheel chocks.  The pilot stated that as the airplane completed both engine starts, in preparation for flight, the employee quickly approached the airplane to unplug the ground power unit (GPU) when he preceded to cross beneath the left wing from forward-to-aft retrieving the left main landing gear wheel chocks.  While recovering the left wheel chocks the linemen was struck by the left engine propeller blade sustaining serious injuries.  The airplane was standing at the time of the mishap.  The pilot-in-command then performed an engine shutdown, exited the aircraft and assisted the injured linemen.  Weather at the airport was not a factor in the mishap.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6KF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6KF-2011-08-04), registration cancelled 2011-08-04, S/N 659, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mitsubishi MU-2B-36
- Registry model: [Mitsubishi MU-2B-36](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitsubishi-mu-2b-36) (registry code 5780412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331-5&6SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-5-6ser) (registry code 01515, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 659
- Engines: Airesearch TPE331-5&6SER turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Flight Line Inc. (VOXA)
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HOU, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: Hobby Airport, TX
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: HOU, William P Hobby

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

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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