De Havilland DHC-8 N449YV

Summary

On 21 April 2009 at about 00:38 local time, a De Havilland DHC-8 registered N449YV, operated by Mesa Airlines, was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona, United States. 17 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

21 April 2009 at 00:38

Classification

Accident

Location

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor Internation (PHX)

Coordinates

33.4342, -112.0114

Aircraft

De Havilland DHC-8

Registration

N449YV

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Mesa Airlines

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Guaymas → Phoenix

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA211

Nobody was injured.

The failure of ramp personnel and the flight crew to maintain clearance from ground equipment while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the improper positioning of the ground equipment.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The captain reported that upon arrival at the ramp area they had to wait for marshalers to arrive so that the airplane could be guided to the gate. As the marshalers were guiding the airplane, the captain lost sight of the ground power unit (GPU) on the right side and queried the first officer several times about whether they were clear of the GPU. The first officer responded that they were clear of the GPU; however, the right engine's propeller blades struck the GPU as the marshaler was crossing his arms to stop movement. The GPU struck the fuselage and damaged the propeller assembly. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors reported that the GPU was not parked in its designated spot and was located about 7 feet aft of its required parking spot.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.