Story ID: 
Injury Incurred After 727 Pilots Decline Tug
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: The NTSB concluded that the October 22 incident involving a corporate Boeing 727 injuring a person on the ground was caused by the captain’s “improper deci
Word Count: 167
The NTSB concluded that the October 22 incident involving a corporate Boeing 727 injuring a person on the ground was caused by the captain’s “improper decision to maneuver a transport category airplane in a confined and unapproved area with engine thrust.” While taxiing for takeoff at San Antonio International Airport, the 727 proceeded beyond the last entrance to Runway 12R and into a confined ramp area, which is closed to aircraft weighing more than 59,000 pounds. Noticing this, a tower controller asked the flight crew if they were able to maneuver the airplane back or would require a tug. One of the pilots responded that they would maneuver the airplane without ground assistance, and used reverse thrust to back the airplane toward a private hangar. Then they selected forward thrust, and the subsequent jet blast damaged two hangars and the contents inside, as well as seriously injuring a person inside one of the hangars. The crew, unaware of what had happened, took off and continued to their West Coast destination.