Embraer EMB145 N844MJ

Summary

On 31 December 2008 at about 17:59 local time, a Embraer EMB145 registered N844MJ, operated by Freedom Airlines Inc.,, was involved in an accident near New York, New York, United States. 53 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 December 2008 at 17:59

Classification

Accident

Location

New York, New York, United States

Nearest airport

John F. Kennedy International (JFK)

Coordinates

40.6397, -73.7703

Aircraft

Embraer EMB145

Registration

N844MJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Freedom Airlines Inc.,

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New York → New York

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DCA09FA025

Nobody was injured.

The tug driver's failure to comply with ramp safety procedures.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the airplane was parked at Gate M, and they were in the process of calling for pushback from the gate when the airplane's right aileron and wing assembly were struck by a baggage cart attached to a ground tug. The tug operator stated that due to heavy winds and pelting sleet his vision was impaired and that he had closed his eyes just prior to his tug nearing the wing. The operator's investigation identified a number of factors that contributed to the tug driver's collision with the parked airplane including failure to follow procedures when operating motorized equipment inside the Diamond of Safety, failure to properly position safety cones on the right wing, failure to ensure safe driving in inclement weather, and failure to take a safety time out when unsure of the intended path of the moving vehicle.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.