20020702013659A

(.19) On July 02, 2002, at 0922 central daylight time, a Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88 transport category airplane, N911DL, operating as delta flight 239, was substantially damaged when the left wing of the airplane collided with parked construction trucks while taxiing back to gate 29 at the Houston Hobby airport, near Houston, Texas. There were no injuries to the 58 passengers and the 5 crewmembers aboard the airplane. There were no reported injuries to anyone on the ground and the extend of the damage sustained by the trucks is unknown. The airplane, serial number 49542, was owned by the wilmington trust company of wilmington, Delaware, was being operated on a scheduled revenue flight by delta airlines, of atlanta, Georgia, under 14 code of federal regulations part 121. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight for which an IFR flight plan was filed. The flight which originated from atlanta, Georgia, at 0730, with Houston, Texas, as its intended destination. After landing, the flight was cleared to cross runway 22 and taxi to the gate. The pilot taxied on taxiway zulu, which is parallel to taxiway yankee, which was open. Taxiway zulu was closed due to construction; however, the construction was not posted on the ATIS, NOTAM, or dispatcher's release from the company. Ground control did not mention that taxiway zulu was closed. The FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported that the number one slat and the left aileron were damaged and the left wing sustained structural damage. No fuel spilled from the left wing. The flight taxied to the gate under its own power, where the passengers disembarked the airplane by normal means. (-23) aircraft N911DL arrived from atl 0915 - was given direction by Hobby ground control to cross runway 22 proceed to gate. No other instructions given. There are two parallel taxiways on the way to gate 22 zulu and yankee. The pilot took the left taxiway (on the left side of the taxiway zulu two construction trucks were parked to the left of the taxiway). The pilot chose to use taxiway zulu instead of taxiway yankee. As the aircraft taxied, the left wing struck the first truck and continued on, striking the second truck carrying a load of structural aluminum. At this point, the aircraft was stopped by the captain. Passengers were deplaned on the ramp and directed to gate 22. Aircraft was then taxied to gate 22 and inspected by the crew and FAA representative.