Casualties unknown

Ground Employee Injured by Jet Blast While Chocking Aircraft Wheel (N7375F)

Atlanta, GA, US

On June 26, 1989, a Boeing 737-291 (registration N7375F) was involved in an aviation accident near Atlanta, GA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE GROUND EMPLOYEE TO FOLLOW NORMAL SAFETY PROCEDURES. HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE OPERATION WAS A RELATED FACTOR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N7375F
Aircraft registered N7375F. Photo: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A ground employee was injured by jet blast after walking behind an aircraft engine to chock the main gear. The employee sustained a broken jaw, bruises, and lacerations. He had been hired 17 days prior and received ramp safety training.

Incident Details

As an aircraft came to a stop on Concourse 'C' to deplane passengers, a ground employee walked behind the number two engine to chock the right main landing gear. While behind the engine, the jet exhaust thrust the employee approximately five feet, causing him to fall to the ground.

Injuries

The employee sustained a broken jaw, along with multiple bruises and lacerations.

Employee Background

The ground employee had been hired on June 9, 1989, just 17 days before the accident. According to training records, he had completed training in ramp safety procedures prior to the incident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28497. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.