Boeing 737 76Q N565WN

Summary

On 14 April 2016 at about 23:24 local time, a Boeing 737 76Q registered N565WN, operated by Southwest Airlines Co, was involved in an accident near San Diego, California, United States. 122 people were on board. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 April 2016 at 23:24

Classification

Accident

Location

San Diego, California, United States

Nearest airport

San Diego International Airpor (KSAN)

Coordinates

32.7336, -117.1897

Aircraft

Boeing 737 76Q

Registration

N565WN

Category

Airplane

Year built

2002

Engines

2

Operator

Southwest Airlines Co

Operating rule

Part 121: Air Carrier

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Albuquerque → San Diego

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

DCA16CA133

Injuries not recorded.

the ramp agents failure to keep his right hand at a safe distance from the underside of the moving belt.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

On Thursday, April 14, 2016, at approximately 1624 PDT a Southwest Airlines' ramp agent incurred a serious injury to his right arm and hand during the baggage unloading process at San Diego International Airport (KSAN), San Diego, California. Flight 3060 from Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ), Albuquerque, New Mexico, arrived into Gate 2 at 1617 PDT, at which time ground personnel positioned a beltloader adjacent to the forward cargo bin entry door and began offloading baggage from the aircraft. Two Agents toward the forward portion of the aircraft were discussing their plan to unload a heavy powered wheelchair out of the forward cargo bin. One agent was situated in the cargo bin, while the other was on the ground to the left side of the beltloader. Based on a review of video footage, as they were talking, the agent on the ground was observed placing and removing his hand on the top of the running belt in a recurring motion. He then placed his hand at the bottom of the belt and appeared to attempt the same behavior (riding his hand on the belt). Moments later the ramp agent's arm became lodged in the beltloader, and he immediately fell to the ground. Other ramp personnel immediately became aware of the situation and attempted to aid the ramp agent. The beltloader was turned off with the ramp agent's arm still lodged inside the belt loader. A ramp supervisor obtained a pair of scissors and cut the belt on the beltloader off. However, the ramp agent was still not able to free himself. The supervisor  quickly retrieved tools, removed the belt's access panel and roller bolts, and finally freed the ramp agent's arm from the belt. Paramedics arrived moments later. The ramp agent was examined in the ambulance and then taken to the hospital. The ramp agent sustained a burn on his forearm, a three-inch laceration on his hand, and a broken right wrist. It is unknown why the ramp agent decided to place his hand on the underside of the beltloader.  Southwest Airlines has precautions and established procedures for ramp operations that is contained in their ground operations manual. 

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.