Maintenance vehicle overturned by jetblast during taxi

Casualties unknown • Chicago, IL, US

A maintenance utility truck was struck by the jetblast of a four-engine heavy jet, causing the vehicle to roll over multiple times while taxiing.

What happened

A four engine heavy jet was instructed by ground control to taxi toward an active runway. The intended taxi route required crossing an active runway; however, ground control issued a command for the aircraft not to cross that specific runway. The aircrew acknowledged this instruction.

The aircraft came to a stop in a southerly orientation on a north-south oriented taxiway that intersected the active runway. During this time, a maintenance utility truck operated by another airline stopped on the east side of a service road that crossed perpendicularly to the aircraft's position on the taxiway.

After ground control directed the aircraft to continue taxiing, the crew began to power up the engines. As the aircraft accelerated, the service truck drove behind it. The vehicle was struck by the jetblast from the aircraft, which caused the truck to roll over two or three times.

Findings

An investigation into the airport's motor vehicle operating regulations handbook and the airline's driver training program determined that the dangers posed by jetblast to motor vehicles were not addressed in the existing training or regulatory documentation.

Probable cause

The lack of coverage regarding jetblast hazards to motor vehicles within the airport's motor vehicle operating regulations and the airline's driver training program.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-08-23 Boeing 747-300 accident near Chicago, IL?

A maintenance utility truck was struck by the jetblast of a four-engine heavy jet, causing the vehicle to roll over multiple times while taxiing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-08-23 involved a Boeing 747-300, registration HL746, operated by Korean Airlines, at Chicago, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The lack of coverage regarding jetblast hazards to motor vehicles within the airport's motor vehicle operating regulations and the airline's driver training program.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15372. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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