Accident Details
During a night landing, after the aircraft had touched down, the pilot was lowering the nosewheel onto the runway surface. At that moment, he observed a Mexican national crossing the runway ahead. The pilot swerved the aircraft to the left in an attempt to avoid hitting the individual. Despite this evasive action, the right wing of the aircraft struck the person, resulting in fatal injuries.
Airport Security
The airport was approximately 90 percent encircled by a chain link fence. The remaining perimeter was enclosed with a barbed wire fence. An exception was a drainage ditch that was full of water, which was not fenced. The manner in which the individual, identified as an illegal alien, gained access to the airfield was not determined by the investigation.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation into the accident did not ascertain how the pedestrian entered the airport. The sequence of events as described in the report includes the pilot's evasive maneuver and subsequent collision with the person on the runway.