Probable cause
The failure of the ramp agent to use a tail stand.
NTSB analysis
The director of operations reported that after the passengers were boarded, the flight crew noted a discrepancy in the load manifest and the pilot-in-command (PIC) exited the airplane. The PIC reported that the ramp agent was instructed to put the tail stand in place; however, the agent ignored the instructions and entered the airplane via the aft door with the passengers still on board. The airplane subsequently tilted downward and sustained a tail strike, which resulted in structural damage to a fuselage bulkhead.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA022 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 15, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Molokai, Hawaii
- Nearest airport
- Molokai Airport (PHMK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 208B
- N-number
- N861MA
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 135 (charter and commuter)
Other records under this N-number
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.