# NTSB LAX89LA144: Boeing 767-201, N645US, Los Angeles, CA, April 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1989, 01:17 local (08:17 UTC)
- Place: Los Angeles, CA
- Coordinates: 34.059459, -118.239334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0595&lon=-118.2393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor, 219 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26365
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26365/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA144

## Probable cause

THE FIRST OFFICER DID NOT PROPERLY EVACUATE THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - equipment,other - improper use of, copilot/second pilot (cause)

## Analysis

DUE TO THE SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR OF A PASSENGER THAT ELECTED TO DEPLANE BEFORE THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AND WAS LATER QUESTIONED BY AUTHORITIES, THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO RETURN AND LAND. DURING AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION, THE FIRST OFFICER OPTED TO EVACUATE THE AIRPLANE VIA THE EMERGNECY ROPE LOCATED IN THE COCKPIT. THE FIRST OFFICER DID NOT FULLY EXTEND THE ROPE FROM THE STOWED POSITON. WHEN HIS WEIGHT WAS PUT ON THE ROPE IT UNRAVELLED RAPIDLY. THE FIRST OFFICER WAS UNABLE TO HANG ON AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURY. ONE OTHER PASSENGER BROKE HER ANKLE DURING THE EVACUATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N645US (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 767-201
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23897
- Airframe hours: 7071
- Engines: GE CF6-80C2 45000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Piedmont Airlines
- Registered owner: Meridan Trust Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 19, 1989, 149 hours before
- Departed: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Destination: BWI, BALTIMORE, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAX, Los Angeles

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 17,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890403005989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890403005989A), Apr 3, 1989: Boeing 767201, Los Angeles, CA. Unauthorized access to aircraft. Returned. No communication between security and pilot. Evacuated by door slides.

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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