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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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NTSB Report

May 20, 2003 · Boeing 757-223 · N692AA

Santa Ana, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (103 uninjured)
Location
Santa Ana, CA
Aircraft
Boeing 757-223
Tail Number
N692AA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA167

An unattended crash fire rescue (CFR) vehicle rolled into a stationary jet awaiting instructions from the control tower. Following a medical aid call in the terminal, an airport firefighter was dispatched to the terminal where he parked his CFR vehicle at one of the gates. The driver of the vehicle was in the terminal at the time of the accident and did not remember setting the parking brake on his vehicle. He also forgot to place the anti-roll tire chocks under his vehicle before entering the terminal. The vehicle then rolled into the jet that was stationary on a taxiway. During the impact, the vehicle became lodged between the fuselage and wing root on the right side of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

the vehicle driver's failure to deploy the parking brake or use wheel chocks to secure the vehicle prior to leaving it unattended.

Full Narrative

On May 20, 2003, at 1210 Pacific daylight time, American Airlines Flight 250, a Boeing 757-223, N692AA, was struck by an unattended Crash Fire & Rescue (CFR) vehicle while preparing for departure at John Wayne Airport/Orange County, Santa Ana, California. American Airlines, Inc., was operating the airplane as a scheduled domestic passenger flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121. The airline transport pilot licensed captain, airline transport licensed first officer, 4 flight attendants, and 97 passengers were not injured. The flight was scheduled to depart John Wayne Airport as a nonstop to John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. Around noon, an Orange County Fire Authority Engineer was dispatched to a medical aid call in the terminal. After parking his CFR vehicle at Gate 8, he entered the terminal. Shortly afterwards, the unattended vehicle rolled under the momentum of its own weight in the direction of the Airport Operations Area of Taxiway A. The vehicle then broadsided a stationary American Airlines Boeing 757 that was awaiting instructions from the control tower. The driver of the vehicle was in the terminal at the time and first noticed the accident from a terminal window. When questioned by an Orange County Sheriff after the accident, he stated that he did not remember setting the parking brake on his vehicle. He also forgot to set the anti-roll tire chocks underneath his vehicle before entering the terminal. During the impact, the fire truck became wedged between the fuselage and wing root on the right side of the airplane. Damage to the airplane included a 3- foot tear in the wing to body fairing, a 12-inch hole in the fuselage skin, dents and small holes in the wing root area, number 6 slat, and right engine nose cowl. Several fan blades were also damaged. The CFR vehicle sustained damage to its windshield and upper right portion of its cab.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 PDT
Nearest AirportJohn Wayne/Orange County (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing 757-223
Tail NumberN692AA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 121
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbojet
Engine DetailsRolls-Royce · RB211-535E4 · Turbojet · 42500 | Rolls-Royce · RB211-535E4 · Turbojet · 42500
Seats182

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (103 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured103
Total103
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 53 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 9 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data