# NTSB NYC00IA078: Saab-Scania 340B, N357BE, Boston, MA, February 12, 2000

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 2000, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Boston, MA
- Location: 42.3629° N, 71.0064° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GENERAL EDWARD LAWRENCE LOGAN INTL (BOS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3629&lon=-71.0064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 9 uninjured; on the ground: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 51265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00IA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00IA078

## Probable cause

The vehicle driver's inadequate visual lookout.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing
  - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

The driver of a catering truck became angry when his assistant was removed and reassigned to another position.  He drove erratically, and struck the right wing of the airplane.  The driver was charged with reckless driving by the Massachusetts State Police.

## Factual narrative

On February 12, 2000, about 1845 Eastern Standard Time, a Saab 340B, N357BE, sustained minor damage when it was struck by a vehicle while standing, at General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, Boston, Massachusetts.  The airplane was operated by Business Express Airlines as flight 4703.  There were no injuries to the 3 crewmembers, or 6 passengers; while 2 ground personnel received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight destined for Portland International Jetport, Portland, Maine.  An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the air carrier flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121.

The Director of Safety at Business Express stated that the airplane was parked at the gate, while passengers were boarding.  Approximately 6 out of 15 passengers had boarded the airplane.

He added that a driver of a catering truck initially had an assistant in the truck.  The assistant was removed, and assigned to another position.  The driver became angry that he had to work without an assistant, drove erratically, and struck the right wing of the airplane.  The driver, and a baggage handler loading the airplane, were taken to a local hospital for minor injuries.  The driver was charged with reckless driving by the Massachusetts State Police.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed damage to the right aileron and right wing spar cap.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N357BE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Saab-Scania AB (Saab) 340B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340B-277
- Airframe hours: 18452
- Engines: GE CT7-9B 1870 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Business Express Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 11, 2000, 3 hours before
- Departed: BOS
- Destination: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BOS, Logan Int'L Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BOS

## 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 20000212003239I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000212003239I), Feb 12, 2000: Saab 340B, Boston, MA, Minor damage. Business express catering truck was driving at excessive speed as it passed between two aircraft which were parked at the gate. The truck struck the right wing…

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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