BOEING 737 7H4
Los Angeles, CA — November 19, 2017
Event Information
| Date | November 19, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | DCA18CA074 |
| Event ID | 20180109X22437 |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 33.94500, -118.40806 |
| Airport | Los Angeles International |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | BOEING |
| Model | 737 7H4 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 121 |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 5 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The provisioning agent's lack of situational awareness while stepping from the airplane to the provisioning van. Contributing to the accident was the provisioning vans failed switch.
Full Narrative
On November 11, 2017, about 1230 Pacific standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 1159, a Boeing 737-700, N740SW, had a provisioning agent fall from the airplane while parked at Gate 13 at Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), Los Angeles, California . The flight was deplaning and onboard were the captain, first officer, three flight attendants, several passengers, and the provisioning agent. The regularly scheduled passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 from San Francisco International Airport (KSFO), San Francisco, California, to KLAX.
According to the operator, the provisioning vans platform/box assembly malfunctioned and lowered about 2-3 feet. As the provisioning agent was moving from the airplane to the platform he lost situational awareness and fell onto the lowered platform, injuring his shoulder. The agent was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a fractured right shoulder. The van was removed from service and the left side tape switch was found to have dislodged from its track, resulting in the uncommanded lowering of the platform.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.