# NTSB LAX90LA116: Boeing 727-227, N271AF, Phoenix, AZ, March 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1990, 22:15 local (Mar 14, 1990, 05:15 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.43048, -112.010505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4305&lon=-112.0105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 41 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA116

## Probable cause

THE UNAUTHORIZED INTRUSION ONTO THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT BY A PEDESTRIAN.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - other person (cause)

## Analysis

A BOEING 727-227 STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN ON RUNWAY 26L. THE CAPTAIN INDICATED THAT THE PEDESTRIAN WAS ON THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. THE AIRCRAFT HAD ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 105 KNOTS INDICATED AIRSPEED WHEN THE PEDESTRIAN WAS IDENTIFIED. THE CAPTAIN IMMEDIATELY VEERED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID THE COLLISION AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRCRAFT CREW FELT AN IMPACT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN TAXIED TO THE RAMP. POST FLIGHT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THE PEDESTRIAN WAS STRUCK BY THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE PEDESTRIAN, A 40 YEAR OLD MALE, WAS A MENTAL PATIENT AT A NEARBY HOSPITAL. THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY ALSO INDICATED THAT THE PEDESTRIAN WAS NOT AUTHORIZED ACCESS TO THE RUNWAY. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE BREACH OF AIRPORT SECURITY DID NOT REVEAL HOW THE PEDESTRIAN GAINED ACCESS TO THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N271AF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-227
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22003
- Airframe hours: 16173
- Engines: P&W JT8D-17 16000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Alaska Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ncnb Texas National Bank
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 11, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHX, Phoenix Sky, runway 26L, 10,300 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, 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: 12,720 total, 9,600 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX

## 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 19900313064409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900313064409A), Mar 13, 1990: Boeing 727227, Phoenix, AZ, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Struck a pedestrian that was walking in middle of runway. Aborted takeoff. Victim was mental patient from hospital.

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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