# NTSB LAX84LA122: Boeing 737-200, N133AW, Phoenix, AZ, December 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1983, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.430068, -112.009994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4301&lon=-112.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 5 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA122

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller blast or jet exhaust/suction, standing - engine(s) operating
  - visual lookout - inadequate, ground personnel (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS STANDING WITH ENGINES RUNNING AND A BAGGAGE HANDLER WAS BLOWN OFF HIS FEET WHEN HE WENT BEHIND THE ACFT. THE ACFT HAD BEEN CALLED BACK TO THE RAMP BECAUSE AN ACCESS DOOR WAS OPEN. THE BAGGAGE HANDLER APPROACHING THE ACFT FROMTHE REAR TO CLOSE THE DOOR FAILED TO SIGNAL THE CREW TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINES. HE SAID HE BELIEVED HE HEARD THE RIGHT ENGINE SPOOLING DOWN. THE BAGGAGE HANDLER WAS THROWN ABOUT 8-10 FT AND LANDED ON HIS KNEE. HIS KNEE CAP WAS BROKEN. THE FLT CREW WAS UNAWARE OF THE ACCIDENT UNTIL INFORMED BY THE COMPANY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N133AW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-200
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21735
- Airframe hours: 12826
- Engines: P&W JT8D-9A turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: America West Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 23, 1983, 11 hours before
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHX, Phoenix Sky

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,426 total, 3,326 in this make and model, 7,518 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19831225071309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831225071309A), Dec 25, 1983: Boeing 7372Q8C, Phoenix, AZ. Ground crewman walked behind idling jet engine to close access door and was seriously injured.

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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