Memorandum to the Manager Flight Standards Division
From: Karen M. Adams, Manager, Atl-FSDO-11, ext. 7201
Prepared by: David W. Shifflett, POI ASA CMU, ext. 7256
Date: January 27, 2004
Re: Aircraft and Vehicle collision, 1/25/2004, 0650 local
(Second Ground Accident of this aircraft in 90 days with vehicle collision at KATL, Ramp 4) Overview: a. Aircraft involved: CL-600-2B19 (CRJ-200) operated by Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc. (ASOA029B) a Part 121 Flag carrier. Flight Number 4548 operating from Valdosta, GA KVLD to Atlanta, GA KATL, Registration number N913EV, Serial number 7731. Substantial Damage to aircraft right wing.
b. Crew: Mark Bird, Captain
David P. Winters, F/O
Hazel Hutcherson, F/A
c. Passengers: 21 (no injuries reported by pax or crew)
d. Location: West taxi line at spine road Ramp 4, Atlanta Airport (KATL)
e. Ground Vehicle: Ford Ranger Pick up truck operated belonging to ABS, Driver Anthony Howard
f. Date/Time Group 01/25/2004 1150 GMT, 0650 Local event occurred at dawn with low ceiling and visibility with rain.
Narrative: Accident was reported to FAA Comm. Center at 1150Z. Michael Fergusion, an ASA ramp controller reports that the aircraft was taxiing to C-33 when a truck belonging to ABS struck the aircraft. The point of impact on the aircraft was the right wing outboard. The truck was overturned to the inverted during the accident sequence. The collision point on ramp 4 happened at the spine road with the aircraft-moving north and the truck traveling west. The aircraft came to a stop abeam ASA gate C-21. The aircraft had 21 passengers and a crew of 3. There were no reported injuries by the pax or crew.
The aircraft damage was classified by ASA as substantial. The on scene Inspector, Dale Donagan, agrees with that assessment based on the definition of 8020.11(b). ASA structural engineers are to exam the aircraft on 1/27/2004.
In an interview with the crew, the pilots stated that they never saw the truck. The pilots provided written Statements to the FAA.
The truck driver, Mr. Anthony Howard sustained minor injuries. Comments made by Mr. Howard indicated that the truck hydroplaned. Mr. Howard’s Atlanta ID Badge was revoked by the Atlanta Police Department pending the outcome of their investigation. Mr. Howard was cited for “Failure to yield to the aircraft”. The posted speed limit for the spine road is 15 MPH.
Hydroplane speed=square root of the tire pressure X 9, for a truck with 36 psi tire pressure, hydroplane speed would be 54 mph.
Major Concern: a. Lack of presence of Atlanta Police Department to enforce the posted speed limits on the ramp areas of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
b. Failure of vehicle drivers to adhere to the posted speed limits.
c. Failure of vehicle drivers to yield right of way to aircraft traffic.
