# NTSB LAX91LA147: de Havilland DHC6-300, Nuuuli, Antarctica, March 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1991, 00:20 local (04:20 UTC)
- Place: Nuuuli, Antarctica
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA147

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE LIGHTING OF THE GATE AT THE TERMINAL AND INADEQUATE TRAINING OF THE SECURITY GUARD BY COMPANY PERSONNEL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS A DARK NIGHT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - facility,inadequate external lighting, airport personnel (cause)
  - inadequate training, company/operator management (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT TAXIED TO THE GATE AFTER LANDING ON A DARK NIGHT.  ALTHOUGH COMPANY INSTRUCTIONS PRESCRIBES THAT A GROUND GUIDE BE ASSIGNED TO DIRECT THE AIRCRAFT TO THE GATE NONE WERE PROVIDED.  THE BAGGAGE HANDLERS AND SECURITY GUARD APPROACHED THE AIRCRAFT AS IT STOPPED AT THE GATE AND THE CREW SHUT DOWN THE ENGINES.  DUE TO OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS THE AIRCRAFT WAS POSITIONED INTO THE WIND WHEN THE ENGINES WERE SHUT DOWN.  THE ANGLE OF THE GATE LIGHTING PLACED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE LEFT SPINNING PROPELLER IN SHADOWS.  AFTER THE ENGINES WERE SHUT DOWN THE CAPTAIN OPENED THE LEFT COCKPIT DOOR TO EGRESS THE AIRCRAFT AND SAW THE GUARD ON THE GROUND UNDER THE LEFT PROPELLER.  THE GUARD HAD BEEN FATALLY INJURED BY THE SPINNING PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: 5WFAU (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC6-300
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: P&W PT6A-27 620 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 129
- Operator: Polynesian Airlines
- Registered owner: Polynesian Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: APIA, WN SAMOA
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: PPG, Pago Pago Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; foreign; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,600 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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