# NTSB LAX90LA021: Boeing 757-2S7, N902AW, Phoenix, AZ, November 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1989, 10:55 local (17:55 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Location: 33.4343° N, 112.0116° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL (PHX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4343&lon=-112.0116&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 98 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA021

## Probable cause

THE GROUND HANDLER IMPROPERLY CROSSING UNDER THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IT WAS MOVING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, taxi - pushback/tow
  - aircraft handling - improper, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

DURING PUSHBACK THE GROUND HANDLER WALKED UNDER THE FUSELAGE IN A DIRECT LINE WITH THE NOSE GEAR. WHILE CROSSING UNDER THE FUSELAGE HE STUMBLED. THE TUG OPERATOR APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKES BUT THE MOMENTUM OF THE MOVING AIRCRAFT CARRIED THE NOSE GEAR WHEELS OVER THE GROUND HANDLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N902AW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N902AW-2018-03-07), registration cancelled 2018-03-07, S/N 23322, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 757-2S7
- Registry model: [Boeing 757-2S7](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-2s7) (registry code 1384962) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce RB-211 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-rb-211-series) (registry code 54555, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23322
- Airframe hours: 14951
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 40000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: America West Airlines
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, October 22, 1989, 131 hours before
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHX, Phoenix International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,300 total, 1,955 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19891106044619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891106044619A), Nov 6, 1989: Boeing 757200, Phoenix, AZ. Aircraft nose wheel rolled over ground crewmans legs on push back. Crewman was passing under aircraft and fell.

## Other investigations on N902AW (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW97IA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97IA112), Mar 2, 1997: Boeing 757-2S7 (N902AW), Denver, CO, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: the pilot-in-command's failure to comply with company procedures/directives to not taxi the aircraft beneath the bridge/overpass, and his misjudgment of clearance between the vertical stabilizer and…

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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