# NTSB LAX87LA250: de Havilland DHC-6-300, N74GC, Grand Canyon, AZ, June 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1987, 12:57 local (19:57 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029308, -112.019683 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0293&lon=-112.0197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 18 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25623
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25623/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA250

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - performed, airport personnel

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE BOOM OF A BACKHOE PARKED ADJACENT TO THE AIRCRAFT RAMP. THE UNATTENDED BACKHOE WAS PARKED IN A DIRT AREA ADJACENT TO THE RAMP WITH THE BOOM IN THE EXTENDED POSITION WHILE THE OPERATOR WAS ON HIS LUNCH BREAK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74GC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74GC), registered now, S/N 559, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-6-300
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-300) (registry code 2802630) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 559
- Airframe hours: 19408
- Engines: P&W PT6A-27 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Grand Canyon Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 1987, 92 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon National Prk, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,706 total, 346 in this make and model, 4,524 as pilot in command, 313 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCN

## 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 19870629032429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870629032429A), Jun 29, 1987: Dhav DHC6300, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Wing tip struck boom on a backhoe during taxi for takeoff. Backhoe parked too near taxiway area. No tower caution.

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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