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NTSB Report
June 23, 1987 · Boeing 737-277 · N184AW
Los Angeles, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 23, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (83 uninjured)
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Aircraft
Boeing 737-277
Tail Number
N184AW
Operator
America West Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA243
A BOEING 747SP COLLIDED WITH THE TAIL OF A BOEING 737. THE 737 WAS LINED UP ON A PARALLEL TAXIWAY AWAITING DEPARTURE. THE 747 WAS TAXIING FROM A TERMINAL GATE TO MAINTENANCE. THE 747 WAS BEING OPERATED BY TWO MECHANICS. ONE OF THE MECHANICS WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO TAXI THE 747. NO. 4 ENG HUNG START AND WAS NOT RUNNING DURING TAXI. THE NO. 4 ENG HYD SYS WAS SWITCHED OFF. THE NO. 4 HYD SYS IS THE PRIMARY POWER FOR THE ACFT BRAKE SYS. THE 747'S INERTIAL NAV SYS (INS) IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE WHILE TAXIING FOR SPEED REFERENCE. THE INS WAS ALSO SWITCHED OFF. THE 747 SPEED BECAME EXCESSIVE ON PARALLEL TAXIWAY. WHEN MECH ATTEMPTED TO STOP THERE WAS NO BRAKE POWER. HE DID NOT ACTIVATE THE EMER BRAKE SYS POWERED BY NO. 2 ENG HYD SYS. THE MECH SWERVED THE 747 TO THE LEFT. THE 747 R WING COLLIDED WITH TAIL OF 737. THE AIRLINE MAINT SUPERVISOR OF 747'S WAS AWARE OF MECH NON-QUAL AND OF THE NO. 4 ENG NOT OPERATING. DECISION WAS MADE TO LET THE ACFT TAXI CONTRARY TO PROCEDURES.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE QUALIFIED MECHANIC TO INSURE THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BRAKES PRIOR TO TAXIING AND HIS FAILURE TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENY BRAKE SYSTEM TO PREVENT THE COLLISION. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DECISION OF AIRLINE MAINTENANCE SUPERVISORS TO ALLOW A NON-QUALIFIED MECHANIC TO PERFORM RIGHT SEAT/FLIGHT ENGINEER PANEL DUTIES. ALSO CONTRIBUTING WAS THE QUALIFIED MECHANICS FAILURE TO USE THE AIRCRAFT'S INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR CROSS REFERENCE OF TAXI SPEED.
Full Narrative
A BOEING 747SP COLLIDED WITH THE TAIL OF A BOEING 737. THE 737 WAS LINED UP ON A PARALLEL TAXIWAY AWAITING DEPARTURE. THE 747 WAS TAXIING FROM A TERMINAL GATE TO MAINTENANCE. THE 747 WAS BEING OPERATED BY TWO MECHANICS. ONE OF THE MECHANICS WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO TAXI THE 747. NO. 4 ENG HUNG START AND WAS NOT RUNNING DURING TAXI. THE NO. 4 ENG HYD SYS WAS SWITCHED OFF. THE NO. 4 HYD SYS IS THE PRIMARY POWER FOR THE ACFT BRAKE SYS. THE 747'S INERTIAL NAV SYS (INS) IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE WHILE TAXIING FOR SPEED REFERENCE. THE INS WAS ALSO SWITCHED OFF. THE 747 SPEED BECAME EXCESSIVE ON PARALLEL TAXIWAY. WHEN MECH ATTEMPTED TO STOP THERE WAS NO BRAKE POWER. HE DID NOT ACTIVATE THE EMER BRAKE SYS POWERED BY NO. 2 ENG HYD SYS. THE MECH SWERVED THE 747 TO THE LEFT. THE 747 R WING COLLIDED WITH TAIL OF 737. THE AIRLINE MAINT SUPERVISOR OF 747'S WAS AWARE OF MECH NON-QUAL AND OF THE NO. 4 ENG NOT OPERATING. DECISION WAS MADE TO LET THE ACFT TAXI CONTRARY TO PROCEDURES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:39 PDT
Nearest AirportLos Angeles Int'L (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBoeing 737-277
Tail NumberN184AW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAmerica West Airlines
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsP&W · JT8D-15 · Turbofan · 20550 | P&W · JT9D-7 · Turbofan · 40000
Seats122
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (83 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured83
Total83
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 8 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:42
Weather SourceWFAC