Probable cause
An obstruction (a sleeve of cups) that lodged under the catering truck brake pedal, which prevented the driver from stopping the truck before it struck the parked airplane.
NTSB analysis
The regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight arrived at its gate and passengers began deplaning. A catering truck approached the right front service door. The catering truck driver said he applied the brakes three times in an attempt to stop the truck before it struck the airplane. The truck driver subsequently found that a “sleeve of hot/cold cups” rolled under the brake pedal and obstructed its movement.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA004 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 5, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Nearest airport
- General Mitchell International (KMKE)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Night
Boeing 717-200
- N-number
- N894AT
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 121 (airline)
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.