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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 12, 1999 · Saab-Scania Ab Saab 340B · N347BE

Boston, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 12, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (9 uninjured)
Location
Boston, MA
Aircraft
Saab-Scania Ab Saab 340B
Tail Number
N347BE
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC99LA092

A baggage belt-loader struck the parked airplane in an area below the cargo door. The vehicle approached the airplane without stopping, and the driver jumped off just before the collision. At the time, the airplane's engines were secured, the wheels were chocked, the seat belt sign had been turned off, and the parking checklist had been completed. The passengers were standing, and the flight attendant was waiting for the signal to open the door. Ground support personnel checked the belt-loader braking system immediately after the collision and found no discrepancies. The airline had a published procedure in place, wherein the belt-loader driver was required to stop the vehicle 50 feet prior to the airplane, and again, at least 8 feet away from the airplane. The driver was then required to approach the airplane with the belt-loader at a 'creep' speed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The belt-loader driver's loss of control of the vehicle, and his failure to follow published procedures for approaching the airplane with the belt-loader.

Full Narrative

On April 12, 1999, at 1926 Eastern Daylight Time, a Saab 340B, N347BE, operated as Business Express flight 6240, was substantially damaged when a baggage belt-loader sliced through a portion of the fuselage, in an area under the cargo door. The airplane had just been parked at the gate, at General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. The two pilots, one flight attendant, and six passengers onboard were uninjured, as was the belt-loader driver. An instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the scheduled passenger flight, which arrived from Northern Maine Regional Airport (PQI), Presque Isle, Maine. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 121. According to the captain's statement, the airplane was parked and chocked, with the engines secured, when the belt-loader struck it. The airplane's seat belt sign had been turned off, and the parking checklist had been completed. The passengers were standing, and the flight attendant was waiting for the signal to open the door. According to the airline's director of safety, the operator of the belt-loader drove the vehicle towards the airplane's cargo door area without stopping. As it approached the airplane, the driver jumped off the belt-loader, just before it impacted the fuselage. Ground support personnel checked the belt-loader braking system immediately after the collision, and found no discrepancies. According to the airline's Ground Support Manual, "Any vehicle approaching an aircraft is required to stop 50 ft. (15 m.) away. Then, it will be eased up to within 8 ft. (2 m.) and again come to a stop. From that point, the driver will carefully creep up to the aircraft. Ground equipment aircraft strikes will be prevented by using this 'Fifty 'N Eight' stop - stop - creep technique."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:26 EDT
Nearest AirportGen Edw Lwrnce Logan Intl (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSaab-Scania Ab Saab 340B
Tail NumberN347BE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGe · CT7 · Turboprop · 1735
Seats37

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (9 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured9
Total9
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 12 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 18 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data