NTSB Factual Report

On October 22, 2005, approximately 1940 central daylight time, a Boeing 727-225 transport category airplane, N679MG, damaged a hangar, it's contents and seriously injured one occupant of the hangar while taxiing for take off at the San Antonio International Airport (SAT), near San Antonio, Texas. The airplane was not damaged and the three flight crewmembers (captain, first officer, and flight engineer) and a flight attendant were not injured. The airplane was registered to AFS Investments IX LLC, of Stamford, Connecticut, and was being operated as Champion Air Flight 2701. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the positioning flight destined for the San Diego International Airport (SAN), near San Diego, California.

The flight was cleared by ground control to taxi from the Piedmont North Fixed Base Operator (FBO) to Runway 12R, with no taxiway specified. The flight crew elected to taxi on Taxiway Hotel, but failed to turn onto Taxiway Zulu, which was the last access to Runway 12R. When a tower controller observed that the airplane had proceeded beyond Taxiway Zulu and into a confined ramp area he asked the flight crew if they were able to maneuver the airplane back or would required a tug to reposition. One of the pilots responded that they would maneuver the airplane without ground assistance. In a written statement, the operator said, "While attempting to turn around, the pilot selected reverse thrust and backed the aircraft toward a private hangar. When the pilot selected forward thrust, the jet blast damaged two hangars and the contents inside." The flight crew then proceeded to the runway and departed, as scheduled. When the flight arrived in San Diego, the flight crew was informed of the damage incurred by the hangar and the ground injury sustained.

A review of the published Jeppesen airport chart, which was required to be onboard the airplane, stated the following: "Taxiways M,P, and Taxiway H northwest of Taxiway Z closed to aircraft weighing 59,000 pounds and over; not available for aircraft operations with over 30 passenger seats."

At 1953, the automated surface observing system at SAT, reported wind from 090 at 3 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, a broken layer at 25,000 feet, temperature 88 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 61 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.80 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The captain's improper decision to maneuver a transport category airplane in a confined and unapproved area with engine thrust, which resulted in ground damage and personal injury to an individual.