# NTSB NYC01LA076: Boeing 767-300ER, N155DL, Boston, MA, December 27, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 27, 2000, 16:17 local (21:17 UTC) - Place: Boston, MA - Coordinates: 42.359481, -71.059028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3595&lon=-71.0590&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 79 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 51709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51709/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA076 ## Probable cause The vehicle driver's improper decision to pass behind an aircraft with operating engines, which resulted in an encounter with jet blast. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller blast or jet exhaust/suction, taxi - planning/decision - improper, driver of vehicle (cause) - propeller/jet blast encounter, ground personnel ## Analysis The flightcrew was taxiing to the gate, but stopped short to wait for a required third wingwalker. As the airplane was stopped, several ground vehicles passed behind it along a vehicle service road. At the time the third wingwalker arrived, a ramp serviceman was operating a tug along the vehicle service road. As the tug passed behind the airplane, the airplane began to taxi to the gate. The jet blast blew an empty container, which was being towed by the tug. As the ramp serviceman attempted to retrieve the container, he was also blown to the ground. The serviceman sustained head injuries and was transported to the local hospital. The local port authority regulations prohibited operation of ground vehicles behind an airplane with operating engines. However, the serviceman was not cited for any violations by the port authority. ## Factual narrative On December 27, 2000, about 1617 Eastern Standard Time, a Boeing 767-300ER, N155DL, was not damaged while taxiing at General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. The airplane was operated by Delta Air Lines Inc. as flight 1986. None of the 10 crewmembers or 69 passengers were injured, while one ramp serviceman sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that originated at Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the scheduled air carrier flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to witnesses, the airplane landed on Runway 33L at BOS, and taxied to Gate C26. At the gate, there were only two wingwalkers to assist the airplane. Delta's standard operating procedures required three wingwalkers, so the flightcrew stopped the airplane, before the gate, and waited for the third wingwalker. While the airplane was at idle power, waiting for the third wingwalker, several ground vehicles passed behind the airplane along a vehicle service road. At the time the third wingwalker arrived, a ramp serviceman from another airline was operating a tug along the vehicle service road. As the tug passed behind the airplane, the airplane began to taxi into the gate. The jet blast blew an empty container, which was being towed by the tug. The ramp serviceman stopped the tug, got out of the vehicle, and attempted to retrieve the container. As he attempted to retrieve the container, the jet blast threw him into the container, then threw him clear of the container onto the pavement. The ramp serviceman was admitted to a local hospital for head injuries. According to a Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) shift supervisor, MASSPORT regulations prohibited operation of ground vehicles behind an airplane with operating engines. However, he added that the driver of the tug was not cited for any violations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N155DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N155DL-2023-03-21), registration cancelled 2023-03-21, S/N 25269, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 767-300ER - Registry model: [Boeing 767-3P6](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-767-3p6) (registry code 1385105) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25269 - Airframe hours: 39413 - Engines: GE CF6 60800 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: LAX, Los Angeles Int, CA - Destination: BOS, Boston, MA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BOS, General Edward Lawrence Logan, runway 33L, 10,081 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 21, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 12,700 total, 880 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 43; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review November 29, 2000; seat: rear; flight hours: 9,000 total, 2,906 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 19 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 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). - [Accident 20001227033719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001227033719A), Dec 27, 2000: Boeing 7673P6, Boston, MA, No damage. (-23) After landing delta flight #1986 a B-767-3P6 from lax to bos was taxing to terminal c gate 26.the a/c crossed the vehicle service road (vsr) between… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.