# NTSB NYC93LA040: Boeing 737-300LR, N516AU, Flushing, NY, December 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1992, 09:02 local (14:02 UTC)
- Place: Flushing, NY
- Coordinates: 40.769039, -73.869537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7690&lon=-73.8695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 59 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA040

## Probable cause

A LACK OF ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE WALKER AND TUG WHICH RESULTED IN THE WALKER BEING STRUCK BY THE TUG WHEN HE FELL FOR UNKNOWN REASON(S).  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF A POLICY TO STAY CLEAR OF THE TUG, TOWBAR, AND NOSEWHEEL OF THE AIRPLANE, WHILE PUSHBACK OPERATIONS ARE IN MOTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - pushback/tow
  - clearance - inadequate, ground personnel (cause)
  - procedures/directives - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE B737 WAS BEING PUSHED BACK USING A 2 MAN GROUND CREW. THE TUG DRIVER WAS SEATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TUG.  THE WALKER WAS FORWARD OF THE TUG, ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRPLANE, USING A 15 FT HEADSET CORD WHICH RESTRICTED HIS ABILITY TO STAY CLEAR OF THE NOSEWHEEL, TUG, AND TOWBAR. THE TUG DRIVER SAID THAT IN HIS PERIPHERAL VISION, HE SAW THE WALKER FALL AND STOPPED THE TUG IMMEDIATELY; HOWEVER, THE TUG WAS NOT STOPPED PRIOR TO STRIKING THE FALLEN WALKER WHO WAS FATALLY INJURED.  NO WITNESSES WERE FOUND WHO COULD SAY WHY THE WALKER FELL.  EXAMINATION OF COMPANY PROCEDURES REVEALED THEY ISSUED A MAINTENANCE TRAINING BULLETIN IN 12/89. THE BULLETIN REFERENCED A 'REQUIREMENT' TO STAY CLEAR OF THE AIRPLANE NOSEWHEEL.  ALTHOUGH SENT TO ALL STATIONS, THE BULLETIN WAS NOT MANDATORY READING AND IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE WALKER WAS AWARE OF ITS CONTENT. IN ADDITION, THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BULLETIN WERE NOT IMPLEMENTED INTO THE GENERAL MAINTENANCE MANUAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N516AU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N516AU-2018-03-27), registration cancelled 2018-03-27, S/N 23702, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-300LR
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-3B7](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-3b7) (registry code 138447F) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23702
- Airframe hours: 17594
- Engines: CFM 56-3-B2 22000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Usair
- Registered owner: Usair
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 3, 1992, 43 hours before
- Departed: KLGA
- Destination: KTPA, TAMPA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KLGA, La Guardia

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 1,360 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 88 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGA, 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).

- [Incident 19921208052639I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921208052639I), Dec 8, 1992: Boeing 7373B7, New York, NY, 1 fatal. Mechanic was fatally injured when he apparently fell to tarmac and was struck by tractor on push back from gate.

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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