# NTSB LAX92LA336: Boeing 737-200, N9010U, San Francisco, CA, August 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1992, 09:33 local (16:33 UTC)
- Place: San Francisco, CA
- Coordinates: 37.610801, -122.379981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6108&lon=-122.3800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 113 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27719
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27719/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA336

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE TOWBAR.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A DISCONNECTED TOW BAR DURING PUSH BACK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, taxi - pushback/tow
  - misc eqpt/furnishings - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - installation - improper, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

DURING PUSHBACK FROM A TERMINAL GATE, THE TOWBAR BECAME DISCONNECTED, ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO CONTINUE TO ROLL BACKWARD. GROUND PERSONNEL, UTILIZING AN INTERCOM SYSTEM, CALLED FOR AN EMERGENCY STOP AND THE CAPTAIN APPLIED THE AIRPLANE BRAKES. DURING THE SUDDEN STOP, A CABIN CREW MEMBER LOST HER BALANCE AND FELL AGAINST A SEAT ARMREST, SUSTAINING A FRACTURED SHOULDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9010U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9010U-1998-07-21), registration cancelled 1998-07-21, S/N 19048 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-200
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-222](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-222) (registry code 1384473) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19048
- Airframe hours: 46912
- Engines: P&W JT8 20000 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 17, 1991, 2,440 hours before
- Departed: SFO
- Destination: SEA, SEATTLE, WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SFO, San Francisco

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; 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: 5,949 total, 427 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFO, 1 nm away

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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