# NTSB MKC83FA112: Boeing 727-100, N40483, St. Louis, MO, May 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1983, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: St. Louis, MO
- Location: 38.7487° N, 90.3700° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ST LOUIS LAMBERT INTL (STL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7487&lon=-90.3700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 52 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83FA112

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - airport facilities,ramp facilities - congested (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS SCHEDULED AS CONTINENTAL FLT 415 & WAS DEPARTING FROM EASTERN AIRLINES GATE 14A. WHILE DEPARTING FROM THE GATE, THE AIRCREW TURNED LEFT TO AVOID A DC-9 PARKED AT GATE 14, THEN TURNED RIGHT TO A YELLOW TAXI LINE. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE LEFT WING TIP EXTENDED ACROSS DESIGNATED VEHICULAR TRAFFIC LANES & SCRAPED THE TOP OF A FUEL TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE FURTHEST LANE FROM THE GATES & TAXI AREA. REPORTEDLY, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE IF THE ACFT HAD BEEN TAXIING ALONG THE YELLOW TAXI LINE WITHOUT MANEUVERING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40483](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40483-1996-10-29), registration cancelled 1996-10-29, S/N 18331 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 727-100
- Registry model: [Boeing 727-22](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-727-22) (registry code 1384002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18331
- Airframe hours: 47457
- Engines: P&W JT8D-7 14000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Continental Air Lines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 7, 1983, 774 hours before
- Destination: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: STL, Lambert-St. Louis Intntl.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,461 total, 6,700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: STL

## 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 19830520054319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830520054319A), May 20, 1983: Boeing 727100, St Louis, MO, Substantial damage. Left wing struck the top of a fuel truck on leaving a gate. Fuel truck not attended. Taxi line distance inadequate.

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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