# NTSB NYC89LA072: Boeing B-747-123, N9674, Bridgetown, Bahamas, November 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1988, 02:20 local (07:20 UTC)
- Place: Bridgetown, Bahamas
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 211 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA072

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT TO NOTICE THAT THE ELEVATOR WAS NOT PRESENT AS SHE ENTERED THE ELEVATOR SHAFT AND PRIOR TO CLOSING THE DOOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - visual lookout - inadequate, flight attendant (cause)
  - complacency, flight attendant (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,galley/personnel lift - undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT ENTERED THE ELEVATOR SHAFT, FAILED TO NOTICE THE ELEVATOR WAS NOT PRESENT AND CLOSED THE ELEVATOR DOOR BEHIND HER. AT THE SAME TIME A FLIGHT ATTENDANT ON THE UPPER DECK ENTERED THE ELEVATOR AND STARTED THE ELEVATOR DOWN. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT BELOW THE ELEVATOR SCREAMED AND THE ELEVATOR WAS STOPPED THEN RETURNED TO THE UPPER LEVEL. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT SUFFERED A LACREATED SCALP AND COMPRESSION OF THE T2 AND T5 VERTEBRAE. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THERE WERE VISUAL CUES PRESENT THAT WOULD INDICATE THE ELEVATOR WAS NOT PRESENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9674 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B-747-123
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: P&W JT90-7A turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Registered owner: Pan Am
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: JFK, NEW YORK, NY
- Destination: GIG, RIO DE JANEIRO, OF
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 19,500 total, 5,700 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

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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