McDonnell Douglas MD-88 N919DL

Summary

On 3 November 1998 at about 20:45 local time, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88 registered N919DL was involved in an accident near Covington, Kentucky, United States. 113 people were on board. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 November 1998 at 20:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Covington, Kentucky, United States

Nearest airport

Cincinnati/No. Kentucky (CVG)

Coordinates

39.0797, -84.5003

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas MD-88

Registration

N919DL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grand Rapids → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99LA022

Injuries not recorded.

The driver's failure to maintain control of the belt loader. A factor in the accident was the precipitation which may have contributed to the driver's foot slipping off the brake and onto the accelerator, as he approached the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was chalked at terminal gate with ground power applied. The ground crew then initiated the 'off loading' process. A ground crewmember who was operating a belt loader approached the airplane and as the belt loader approached the 'C1' door, it began to slow down. The belt loader then accelerated forward, struck the airplane and pinned the driver between the seat back of the belt loader and the airplane's fuselage. The driver of the belt load stated his foot slipped off the brake and onto the accelerator. Examination of the belt loader did not revealed any mechanical malfunctions. Light rain was falling at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.