Partenavia P68C N4234L

Summary

On 5 August 1999 at about 17:40 local time, a Partenavia P68C registered N4234L was involved in an accident near Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States. 6 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

5 August 1999 at 17:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States

Nearest airport

Kaunakakai/Molokai (MKK)

Coordinates

21.1708, -157.0701

Aircraft

Partenavia P68C

Registration

N4234L

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Kalaupapa

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99LA263

Injuries not recorded.

The prospective passenger's intentional act of bypassing proscribed airport procedures for boarding aircraft. A factor was the failure of another operator's ground personnel to comply with ramp access restrictions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Five passengers had chartered the airplane for a flight. Four of the passengers arrived at the airport, passed through the operator's boarding gate and entered the airplane. The pilot prepared to taxi for takeoff, started the engines, and performed other related duties in the cockpit. The late arriving fifth adult (prospective) passenger arrived at the airport and attempted to gain access to the ramp area where the airplane was parked. The passenger was described by witnesses as being 'frantic' and looking 'very upset.' He made several attempts to gain access via closed terminal gates and was observed to bang on closed glass doors while yelling 'that's my plane, that's my plane' in an attempt to acquire attention. The passenger located a nearby open and unguarded freight-loading gate next to the terminal. He passed through the unattended gate, ran toward the airplane while waving his arms, and contacted the left engine's rotating propeller. An investigation of the gate area revealed the area was marked with signs stating 'KEEP OUT RESTRICTED AREA' and 'AUTHORIZED AIRPORT EMPLOYEES ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT.' The gate was being used for freight movement by a different operator, whose loader had left the gate open while handling cargo in another area. Under FAA and state regulations, the company's freight loader had a responsibility to ensure that the gate was secure from entry by unauthorized persons at all times.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.