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NTSB Report
November 14, 1987 · Lockheed L-188C · N861U
Atlanta, GA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
November 14, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Atlanta, GA
Aircraft
Lockheed L-188C
Tail Number
N861U
Operator
Trans International Airlines
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
ATL88IA036
AFTER TWO ABORTED TAKEOFFS FOR A RPM FLUCTATION PROBLEM AT TAKEOFF PWR, THE CREW RETD TO THE CARGO RAMP. THEY PARKED THE ACFT, WITH ENGINES RUNNING, ADJACENT TO THE GND PWR CART USED FOR STARTING THE ENGINES. THE PWR CART HAD BEEN LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE PWR. AFTER SOME TROUBLESHOOTING THE CREW DECIDED TO ATTEMPT ANOTHER TAKEOFF. THEY SIGNALED FOR A PUSH BACK. BEFORE THE TUG ARRIVED, THE GND PWR CART WAS STRUCK BY THE NUMBER 3 PROPELLER. THE FLT CREW STATED THAT AT NO TIME WAS REVERSE THRUST SELECTED. THE GND PWR CART TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE IN REVERSE AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS OFF. A GROUND HANDLER STATED THAT HE NOTED A TIA MECHANIC SIGNAL THE PLT TO 'POWER BACK'. THE PLT REPORTEDLY SHRUGGED AND THE GROUND CREW FELT A WIND THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM REVERSE THRUST. THEY STOPPED THE PUSH BACK. THE #3 PROP WAS FOUND IN REVERSE AFTER THE INCIDENT.
Full Narrative
AFTER TWO ABORTED TAKEOFFS FOR A RPM FLUCTATION PROBLEM AT TAKEOFF PWR, THE CREW RETD TO THE CARGO RAMP. THEY PARKED THE ACFT, WITH ENGINES RUNNING, ADJACENT TO THE GND PWR CART USED FOR STARTING THE ENGINES. THE PWR CART HAD BEEN LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE PWR. AFTER SOME TROUBLESHOOTING THE CREW DECIDED TO ATTEMPT ANOTHER TAKEOFF. THEY SIGNALED FOR A PUSH BACK. BEFORE THE TUG ARRIVED, THE GND PWR CART WAS STRUCK BY THE NUMBER 3 PROPELLER. THE FLT CREW STATED THAT AT NO TIME WAS REVERSE THRUST SELECTED. THE GND PWR CART TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE IN REVERSE AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS OFF. A GROUND HANDLER STATED THAT HE NOTED A TIA MECHANIC SIGNAL THE PLT TO 'POWER BACK'. THE PLT REPORTEDLY SHRUGGED AND THE GROUND CREW FELT A WIND THAT SEEMED TO COME FROM REVERSE THRUST. THEY STOPPED THE PUSH BACK. THE #3 PROP WAS FOUND IN REVERSE AFTER THE INCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time07:30 EST
Nearest AirportAtlanta Hartsfield (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftLockheed L-188C
Tail NumberN861U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorTrans International Airlines
Operating RulePart 91
Engines4
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAllison · 501D-13 · Turboprop · 3750
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 3 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:52
Weather SourceWFAC