Accident Overview
On October 15, 2009, at 0745 Hawaiian standard time, a Cessna 208B airplane, registration N861MA, sustained substantial damage during the passenger boarding process at Molokai Airport in Kaunakakai, Hawaii. The aircraft was operated by Mokulele Airlines under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Sequence of Events
According to a written report from the director of operations, after passengers had boarded, the second-in-command (SIC) pilot noticed a discrepancy in the load manifest. The SIC communicated the error to the ramp agent, who then opened the aft door and boarded the airplane with the passengers still on board. Subsequently, the airplane "tilted downward" and the tail struck the tarmac.
In a written statement, the pilot-in-command (PIC) reported that after discovering the load manifest error, the SIC instructed the ramp agent to place the tail stand in position. The PIC stated that the ramp agent "ignored" these instructions and instead boarded the airplane through the aft door. The PIC noted that this occurred after he had exited the airplane.
Damage and Repairs
Postaccident photographs revealed structural damage to an aft bulkhead (FS 427.88) and the tail tie-down assembly. On October 21, 2009, a Major Repair and Alteration Form 337 was submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration detailing the repairs performed on the aircraft.
Injuries and Occupants
The captain, first officer, and five passengers were not injured. The aircraft was occupied by a total of seven people at the time of the incident.