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NTSB Report
April 3, 1988 · Boeing 727-224 · N88703
Sarasota, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (144 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
Sarasota, FL
Aircraft
Boeing 727-224
Tail Number
N88703
Operator
Continental Airlines
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
MIA88FA138
THE CAPTAIN OF THE BOEING 727 AIRCRAFT WAS AWARE THAT A REFUELER WAS UTILIZING KNOWN QUANTITY REFUELING PROCEDURES DUE TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL GUAGE. HE ALLOWED THE FLIGHT ENGINEER TO ACTIVATE THE B HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND THE GROUND INTERCONNECT SWITCH, WITHOUT POSITIVELY ASSURING THAT GND PERSONNEL WERE CLEAR OF THE LEADING EDGE SLATS.AT THE SAME TIME THE REFUELER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE FUELING SYSTEM. THE REFUELER CLIMBED ON A LADDER TO OPEN A FUEL PANEL WITHOUT TELLING ANYBODY. WHEN THE B HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, THE SLATS RETRACTED CRUSHING THE NECK OF THE REFUELER BETWEEN THE WING AND THE TRAILING EDGE OF A SLAT.
Full Narrative
THE CAPTAIN OF THE BOEING 727 AIRCRAFT WAS AWARE THAT A REFUELER WAS UTILIZING KNOWN QUANTITY REFUELING PROCEDURES DUE TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL GUAGE. HE ALLOWED THE FLIGHT ENGINEER TO ACTIVATE THE B HYDRAULIC SYSTEM AND THE GROUND INTERCONNECT SWITCH, WITHOUT POSITIVELY ASSURING THAT GND PERSONNEL WERE CLEAR OF THE LEADING EDGE SLATS.AT THE SAME TIME THE REFUELER WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE FUELING SYSTEM. THE REFUELER CLIMBED ON A LADDER TO OPEN A FUEL PANEL WITHOUT TELLING ANYBODY. WHEN THE B HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED, THE SLATS RETRACTED CRUSHING THE NECK OF THE REFUELER BETWEEN THE WING AND THE TRAILING EDGE OF A SLAT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSarasota-Bradenton (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 727-224
Tail NumberN88703
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorContinental Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines3
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D · Turbofan
Seats134
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (144 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured144
Total145
Crew 1Age 34 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:48
Weather SourceWFAC