Amateur-built DHC-8 accident near Phoenix, Arizona, April 21, 2009
On April 21, 2009, a amateur-built DHC-8, registered N449YV, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix Sky Harbor Internation airport). It was flown under scheduled airline rules (Part 121). No one was hurt; 17 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 21, 2009
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · Phoenix Sky Harbor Internation · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 17 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built DHC-8 202
- Registration
- N449YV · registry record · serial 449
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · scheduled airline rules (Part 121)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground handling event during taxi (from runway)
- Ground collision during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Parking/securing › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring equip/instruments › Flight crew
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Ground equipment › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,603 hours in all; 2,746 in this make and model; 257 in the last 90 days; 94 in the last 30 days; 3,360 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 4, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 917 hours in all; 534 in this make and model; 163 in the last 90 days; 47 in the last 30 days; 222 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 21, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 31,353 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, April 19, 2009; 631 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 36,300 lb
- Seats: 53
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Pratt And Whitney PW123D (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Pratt And Whitney PW123D (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Mesa Airlines
The flight
- Departed from: GYM Guaymas at 10:40 pm
- Destination: PHX Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:51 pm from PHX
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabi | 1 | |||
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 14 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N449YV the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.