# NTSB FTW93LA019: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Houston, TX, October 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1992, 11:23 local (16:23 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.9844° N, 95.3414° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GEORGE BUSH INTCNTL/HOUSTON (IAH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9844&lon=-95.3414&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 29 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA019

## Probable cause

THE VEHICLE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - vehicle
  - visual lookout - not maintained, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN PUSHED BACK FROM THE GATE AND WAS TAXIING OUT OF THE RAMP AREA ON THE TAXI LINE TO ITS ASSIGNED TAXIWAY WHEN IT WAS STRUCK BY A MOTOR GRADER.  THE MOTOR GRADER OPERATOR DID NOT STOP PRIOR TO ENTERING THE RAMP AREA AND WAS NOT IN A VEHICLE LANE AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. THE MOTOR GRADER STRUCK AND LODGED ON ITS SIDE UNDER THE LEFT WING. THERE WAS REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG AT THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: XAAMF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-32
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 34120
- Engines: P&W JT8D-17 16000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 129
- Operator: Aerovia De Mexico, doing business as Aero Mexico
- Registered owner: Aerovia De Mexico
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 7, 1987
- Departed: IAH
- Destination: MCUN, CANCUN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IAH, Intercontinental

## 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, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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