# NTSB MIA90FA008: Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31, N958VJ, Orlando, FL, October 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1989, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Orlando, FL
- Coordinates: 28.420106, -81.300567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4201&lon=-81.3006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 107 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90FA008

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE GROUND GUIDE (MECHANIC) BY COMPANY/OPERATOR/MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL, FAILURE OF THE GROUND GUIDE TO FOLLOW SAFETY PROCEDURES, AND THE WEATHER CONDITION (LIGHTNING).

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - pushback/tow
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, ground personnel (cause)
  - weather condition - lightning strike (cause)

## Analysis

RAINFALL BECAME MODERATE TO HEAVY AS THE ACFT WAS BEING PUSHED BACK IN PREPARATION FOR FLT.  DURING THAT TIME, LIGHTNING STRUCK THE TAIL OF THE ACFT WHILE A MECHANIC (GROUND GUIDE) WAS WEARING A HEADSET CONNECTED TO THE ACFT.  THE LIGHTNING TRAVELED THRU THE ACFT & FATALLY INJURED THE MECHANIC.  WITNESSES & SUPERVISORS STATED THAT THEY HAD OBSERVED LIGHTNING IN THE AREA BEFORE THE ACDNT, BUT THEY HAD NOT OBSERVED ANY FOR ABOUT 15 MIN; PUSH BACK WAS INITIATED AFTER PHONE CONVERSATION WITH TOWER PSNL.  THE AIRLINE'S SAFETY MANUAL PROHIBITED GROUND GUIDE OPN DURING PERIODS OF OBSERVED LIGHTNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N958VJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N958VJ-2005-02-07), registration cancelled 2005-02-07, S/N 47351, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-9-31
- Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-31) (registry code 302206A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47351
- Engines: P&W JT8D 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: US Air
- Registered owner: Usair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MCO
- Destination: PHL, PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MCO, Orlando Intl

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,800 total, 180 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCO, 1 nm away

## 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 19891007065869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891007065869A), Oct 7, 1989: Doug DC931, Orlando, FL, 1 fatal. Ramp crewman with headset connected to aircraft struck and killed by lighting.

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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