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| Date: | Saturday 7 October 1989 |
| Time: | 19:50 LT |
| Type: |  McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 |
| Owner/operator: | USAir |
| Registration: | N958VJ |
| MSN: | 47351/442 |
| Engine model: | P&W JT8D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: / Occupants: 108 |
| Aircraft damage: | None |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Orlando, FL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Pushback / towing |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | (KMCO) |
| Philadelphia International Airport, PA (PHL/KPHL) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
RAINFALL BECAME MODERATE TO HEAVY AS THE ACFT WAS BEING PUSHED BACK IN PREPARATION FOR FLT. DURING THAT TIME, LIGHTNING STRUCK THE TAIL OF THE ACFT WHILE A MECHANIC (GROUND GUIDE) WAS WEARING A HEADSET CONNECTED TO THE ACFT. THE LIGHTNING TRAVELED THRU THE ACFT & FATALLY INJURED THE MECHANIC. WITNESSES & SUPERVISORS STATED THAT THEY HAD OBSERVED LIGHTNING IN THE AREA BEFORE THE ACDNT, BUT THEY HAD NOT OBSERVED ANY FOR ABOUT 15 MIN; PUSH BACK WAS INITIATED AFTER PHONE CONVERSATION WITH TOWER PSNL. THE AIRLINE'S SAFETY MANUAL PROHIBITED GROUND GUIDE OPN DURING PERIODS OF OBSERVED LIGHTNING.
Probable Cause: INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE GROUND GUIDE (MECHANIC) BY COMPANY/OPERATOR/MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL, FAILURE OF THE GROUND GUIDE TO FOLLOW SAFETY PROCEDURES, AND THE WEATHER CONDITION (LIGHTNING).
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB MIA90FA008
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 22-Mar-2024 19:51 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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