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NTSB Report
April 3, 1989 · Boeing 767-201 · N645US
Los Angeles, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 3, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 219 uninjured
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Boeing 767-201
Tail Number
N645US
Operator
Piedmont Airlines
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
LAX89LA144
DUE TO THE SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR OF A PASSENGER THAT ELECTED TO DEPLANE BEFORE THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AND WAS LATER QUESTIONED BY AUTHORITIES, THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO RETURN AND LAND. DURING AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION, THE FIRST OFFICER OPTED TO EVACUATE THE AIRPLANE VIA THE EMERGNECY ROPE LOCATED IN THE COCKPIT. THE FIRST OFFICER DID NOT FULLY EXTEND THE ROPE FROM THE STOWED POSITON. WHEN HIS WEIGHT WAS PUT ON THE ROPE IT UNRAVELLED RAPIDLY. THE FIRST OFFICER WAS UNABLE TO HANG ON AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURY. ONE OTHER PASSENGER BROKE HER ANKLE DURING THE EVACUATION.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FIRST OFFICER DID NOT PROPERLY EVACUATE THE AIRPLANE.
Full Narrative
DUE TO THE SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR OF A PASSENGER THAT ELECTED TO DEPLANE BEFORE THE FLIGHT DEPARTED AND WAS LATER QUESTIONED BY AUTHORITIES, THE CAPTAIN ELECTED TO RETURN AND LAND. DURING AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION, THE FIRST OFFICER OPTED TO EVACUATE THE AIRPLANE VIA THE EMERGNECY ROPE LOCATED IN THE COCKPIT. THE FIRST OFFICER DID NOT FULLY EXTEND THE ROPE FROM THE STOWED POSITON. WHEN HIS WEIGHT WAS PUT ON THE ROPE IT UNRAVELLED RAPIDLY. THE FIRST OFFICER WAS UNABLE TO HANG ON AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURY. ONE OTHER PASSENGER BROKE HER ANKLE DURING THE EVACUATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:17 PDT
Nearest AirportLos Angeles (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 767-201
Tail NumberN645US
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorPiedmont Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsGe · CF6-80C2 · Turbojet · 45000
Seats221
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury), 219 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured219
Total222
Crew 1Age 47 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind260° @ 7 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0