# NTSB MIA87LA063: Fokker F28 MK4000, N510, West Palm Bch, FL, December 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1986, 15:25 local (20:25 UTC)
- Place: West Palm Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 26.660533, -80.090698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6605&lon=-80.0907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 78 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - door,entrance stair - previous damage (cause)
  - door,entrance stair - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - communications - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING PASSENGER BOARDING AT TALLAHASSEE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT HANDRAIL ON THE AIRSTAIR WAS COLLAPSED.  THE FAILURE WAS AT THE SOLDERED JOINT AT THE HANDRAIL LOCKING MECHANISM. THE STATION MANAGER USED METAL GLUE FOR A TEMPORARY REPAIR OF THE JOINT. THE FLT CREW WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DISCREPANCY. THE ACFT THEN DEPARTED FOR WEST PALM BEACH VIA ORLANDO. THE AIRSTAIR WAS NOT USED AT ORLANDO. A DISABLED PASSENGER WAS INJURED WHEN THE HANDRAIL COLLAPSED WHEN BOARDING THE ACFT UNASSISTED AT WEST PALM BEACH. THE PASSENGER STATED THAT HE DID NOT NEED ASSISTANCE IN BOARDING JUST A LITTLE EXTRA TIME. WHEN THE HANDRAIL COLLAPSED THE PASSENGER LOST HIS BALANCE AND FELL TO THE GROUND RECEIVING SERIOUS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N510 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FOKKER F28 MK4000
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11167
- Engines: Rolls-Royce RB183MK555 9900 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Piedmont Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Destination: MCO, ORLANDO, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PBI, West Palm Beach Internati

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 10,300 total, 130 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19861230080089I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861230080089I), Dec 30, 1986: Fokker F28MK4000, West Palm Beach, FL. Handrail uplock failed as passenger climbed steps. Passenger fell to the ramp.

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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