# NTSB CEN09LA114: Boeing 747-212B, N486EV, Rockford, IL, December 23, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 23, 2008, 01:02 local (07:02 UTC) - Place: Rockford, IL - Coordinates: 42.198612, -89.10028 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1986&lon=-89.1003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-O'Hare FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73177/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73177 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA114 ## Probable cause The ground crew's failure to maintain clearance from the light pole while directing the airplane to parking. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing 747 212B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=1384823), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing 747 212B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1384823), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Boeing 747 212B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=1384823), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing 747 212B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1384823), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was taxiing to the parking area when the right wing tip struck a light pole. The taxiway markings on the ramp were obscured by snow, and the airplane was being guided by ground handlers, including a wing-walker positioned at the right wing tip. The taxi speed was low due to the snow cover and positive contact with the ground handlers was maintained by the flight crew. The flight crew did not feel the impact with the light pole and were not aware of the accident until notified by company maintenance personnel after parking. ## Factual narrative On December 23, 2008, at 0102 central standard time, a Boeing 747-212B, N486EV, operated by Evergreen Airlines and piloted by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage when the right wingtip struck a pole during taxi after landing at the Rockford International Airport (RFD), Rockford, Illinois. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 cargo flight was operating in night visual meteorological conditions and was on an instrument flight rules flight plan. No injuries were reported. The airplane had departed the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, New Jersey, about 2 hours and 40 minutes prior to the accident. A report submitted by the operator stated that the airplane had landed at RFD and was taxiing when the accident occurred. The taxiway markings on the ramp were obscured by snow. The airplane impacted a light pole while being guided to parking by ground handlers including a wing-walker positioned at the right wing tip. The taxi speed was low due to the snow cover and positive contact with the ground handlers was maintained by the flight crew. The flight crew did not feel the impact with the light pole and were not aware of the accident until notified by company maintenance personnel after parking. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N486EV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N486EV-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 20888, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 747-212B - Registry model: [Boeing 747-212B](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-212b) (registry code 1384886) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT9D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt9d-series) (registry code 52054, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20888 - Engines: General Electric CF-6 43500 lbs thrust turbo fan; General Electric CF-6 43500 lbs thrust turbo fan; General Electric CF-6 43500 lbs thrust turbo fan; General Electric CF-6 43500 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Evergreen International Airlines Inc - Registered owner: Evergreen International Airlines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: EWR, Newark, NJ - Destination: RFD, Rockford, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: RFD, Rockford International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 4,452 in this make and model - Co-pilot; age 50; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 2,361 in this make and model - Flight engineer; injuries: none; seat: center ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 7 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg - Observed at: RFD ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20081223854799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081223854799A), Dec 23, 2008: Boeing 747212B, Chicago/Rockfo, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) As the aircraft was being marshalled into position the marshaller brought the Boeing 747 on the incorrect lead in line which was intended for Boeing 757… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73177. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317274&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Irregularity Report (item 2, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317285&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Irregularity%20Report-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.