McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 N958VJ
7 October 1989 · Orlando, Florida, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 7 October 1989 at about 22:50 local time, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 registered N958VJ, operated by US Air, was involved in an accident near Orlando, Florida, United States. 108 people were on board. One person on the ground also died. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Orlando, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Orlando Intl (MCO)
- Coordinates
- 28.4201, -81.3006
- Aircraft
- McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31
- Registration
- N958VJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- US Air
- Operating rule
- Part 121: Air Carrier
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Philadelphia
- Aircraft damage
- Not recorded
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Dusk
- NTSB number
- MIA90FA008
People
Injuries not recorded.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured | On the ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 108 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 107 | 1 |
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).
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other McDonnell Douglas DC-9 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1989 | McDonnell Douglas DC-9-82 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jul 1989 | McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 8 Dec 1989 | McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 | Tallahassee, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Dec 1989 | McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 9 Feb 1989 | McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32F | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 18 Mar 1989 | McDonnell Douglas DC-9-33F | Saginaw, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Mar 1989 | Cessna 172H | Melbourne, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 Mar 1989 | Piper AEROSTAR 600 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Top Flight Air Service | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Mar 1989 | Bellanca 7KCAB | Daytona Bch Shr, Florida, United States | Aerial Messages, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 8 Apr 1989 | Beechcraft C-45H | Tampa, Florida, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Apr 1989 | Coutz QUICKIE Q-2 | Lake City, Florida, United States | Rowe, Reardon L. | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Apr 1989 | Cessna 150M | Miramar, Florida, United States | Tursair, Inc. | Serious injuries | - |