Cargo truck collides with aircraft wing during engine start

Casualties unknown • Miami, FL, US

A cargo truck driver sustained serious injuries after striking the wing tip of an aircraft while maneuvering on a ramp area lacking flood lights.

What happened

A cargo truck driver had been parked behind an aircraft for approximately two hours prior to the collision. At the time of the incident, the aircraft's navigation, wing tip, and wing flood lights were illuminated, and the number 3 engine had been started while the remaining engines were in the process of being started.

The driver started the truck and began pulling forward from a position between two parked trucks. As the vehicle passed a mechanic who was operating an air start cart at the right rear of the aircraft, the driver turned to wave to the individual. Upon turning back toward the path of travel, the left windshield area of the truck struck the rear of the aircraft's right wing tip.

The impact was severe enough that portions of the aircraft wing remained embedded in the truck cab. The driver sustained serious injuries. Following the initial collision, the truck continued to roll for an additional 400 feet before striking an aircraft tug that was connected to another aircraft, at which point the vehicle came to a stop.

Notably, the ramp area where the incident occurred did not have any flood lights active during the event.

Probable cause

The driver's distraction caused by waving to a mechanic led to the truck striking the aircraft wing tip.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1994-11-22 Boeing 727-100 accident near Miami, FL?

A cargo truck driver sustained serious injuries after striking the wing tip of an aircraft while maneuvering on a ramp area lacking flood lights.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1994-11-22 involved a Boeing 727-100, registration HCBRF, at Miami, FL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The driver's distraction caused by waving to a mechanic led to the truck striking the aircraft wing tip.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02631. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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