# NTSB CHI07FA020: Airbus A-320-200, N428UA, Chicago, IL, November 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: November 7, 2006, 08:14 local (14:14 UTC) - Place: Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.97861, -87.904724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9786&lon=-87.9047&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 216 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - ORD FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64845 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07FA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64845/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07FA020 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot-in-command of the other airplane failed to maintain clearance with the parked airplane during taxi for takeoff. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot-in-command failed to maintain clearance with the parked airplane during taxi for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - object - aircraft parked/standing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - object - aircraft moving on ground - clearance - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The left winglet on an Airbus A-320-200 contacted the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on a Boeing 737-300 while both airplanes were taxiing for takeoff on runway 32L at the O'Hare International Airport. The initial taxi clearance given to both airplanes was Juliet, to Juliet-1, left on Tango to runway 32L with the Airbus following behind the Boeing. The crew of the Boeing reported they followed the taxi route and turned left onto Juliet-1. While on Juliet-1, they stopped short of the intersecting service road because of traffic in front of them and vehicles on the service road. Because traffic was backing up, the taxi clearance for the Airbus was amended to continue straight on Juliet, to Whiskey, to Tango, then back track on Tango, and hold short of Juliet-1. As the Airbus continued to taxi straight on Juliet it passed behind the Boeing. It was at this time that the left winglet on the Airbus contacted the underside of the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on the Boeing. Both airplanes subsequently returned to the gates and were deplaned normally. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The left winglet on an Airbus A-320-200 contacted the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on a Boeing 737-300 while both airplanes were taxiing for takeoff on runway 32L at the O'Hare International Airport. The initial taxi clearance given to both airplanes was Juliet, to Juliet-1, left on Tango to runway 32L with the Airbus following behind the Boeing. The crew of the Boeing reported they followed the taxi route and turned left onto Juliet-1. While on Juliet-1, they stopped short of the intersecting service road because of traffic in front of them and vehicles on the service road. Because traffic was backing up, the taxi clearance for the Airbus was amended to continue straight on Juliet, to Whiskey, to Tango, then back track on Tango, and hold short of Juliet-1. As the Airbus continued to taxi straight on Juliet it passed behind the Boeing. It was at this time that the left winglet on the Airbus contacted the underside of the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on the Boeing. Both airplanes subsequently returned to the gates and were deplaned normally. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On November 7, 2006, at 0814 central standard time, an Airbus A-320-200, N428UA, being operated as United Airlines flight 732 collided with a Boeing 737-300, N328UA, being operated as United Airlines flight 672, while taxiing for takeoff at the O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. There were no injuries to the 2 flight crew members, 3 flight attendants, and 110 passengers on board the Boeing, or to the 2 flight crew members, 3 flight attendants, and 96 passengers on board the Airbus. There was substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer on the Boeing and minor damage to the left winglet on the Airbus. Both airplanes were operating under 14 CFR Part 121, scheduled passenger service at the time of the accident. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and instrument flight rules flight plans were filed for both airplanes. The Boeing was en route to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York, New York, and the Airbus was en route to Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), Washington D.C. Both airplanes were taxiing to runway 32L for takeoff. The initial taxi clearance given to both airplanes was Juliet, to Juliet-1, left on Tango to runway 32L with the Airbus following the Boeing. The crew of the Boeing reported they followed the taxi route and turned left onto Juliet-1. While on Juliet-1, they stopped short of the intersecting service road because of traffic in front of them and vehicles on the service road. Because traffic was backing up, the taxi clearance for the Airbus was amended to continue straight on Juliet, to Whiskey, to Tango, then back track on Tango, and hold short of Juliet-1. As the Airbus continued to taxi straight on Juliet it passed behind the Boeing. It was at this time that the left winglet on the Airbus contacted the underside of the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on the Boeing. Both airplanes subsequently returned to the gates and were deplaned normally. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On November 7, 2006, at 0814 central standard time, an Airbus A-320-200, N428UA, being operated as United Airlines flight 732 collided with a Boeing 737-300, N328UA, being operated as United Airlines flight 672, while taxiing for takeoff at the O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. There were no injuries to the 2 flight crew members, 3 flight attendants, and 110 passengers on board the Boeing, or to the 2 flight crew members, 3 flight attendants, and 96 passengers on board the Airbus. There was substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer on the Boeing and minor damage to the left winglet on the Airbus. Both airplanes were operating under 14 CFR Part 121, scheduled passenger service at the time of the accident. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and instrument flight rules flight plans were filed for both airplanes. The Boeing was en route to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York, New York, and the Airbus was en route to Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), Washington D.C. Both airplanes were taxiing to runway 32L for takeoff. The initial taxi clearance given to both airplanes was Juliet, to Juliet-1, left on Tango to runway 32L with the Airbus following the Boeing. The crew of the Boeing reported they followed the taxi route and turned left onto Juliet-1. While on Juliet-1, they stopped short of the intersecting service road because of traffic in front of them and vehicles on the service road. Because traffic was backing up, the taxi clearance for the Airbus was amended to continue straight on Juliet, to Whiskey, to Tango, then back track on Tango, and hold short of Juliet-1. As hte Airbus continued to taxi straight on Juliet it passed behind the Boeing. It was at this time that the left winglet on Airbus contacted the underside of the right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on the Boeing. Both airplanes subsequently returned to the gates and were deplaned normally. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N428UA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N428UA), registered now, S/N 523, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Airbus A-320-200 - Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A320-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a320-232) (registry code 3930326) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [IAE V2500SERIES](https://openairdocs.org/engine/iae-v2500series) (registry code 34601, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 523 - Engines: turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: United Airlines Inc, doing business as United Airlines - Registered owner: US Bank - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: ORD, Chicago, IL - Destination: IAD, Washington, DC - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ORD, O'Hare International ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N328UA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N328UA-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 24148, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing 737-300 - Registry model: [Boeing 737-322](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-322) (registry code 138447Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CFM56 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cfm56-series) (registry code 30016, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: United Airlines Inc, doing business as United Airlines - Departed: ORD, Chicago, IL - Destination: LGA, New York, NY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ORD, O'Hare International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N428UA; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review April 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 201 in the last 90 days, 99 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot, aircraft N428UA; age 40; injuries: none; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review October 1, 2006; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,182 total, 3,580 in this make and model, 279 in the last 90 days, 92 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N328UA; injuries: none - Co-pilot, aircraft N328UA; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 5 knots - Visibility: 0.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: ORD ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20061107029479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061107029479A), Nov 7, 2006: Airbus A320232, Chicago, IL, Minor damage. (-23) Ual flight #732, an Airbus (A-320-232) registration (N428UA) struck ual flight #672, a Boeing (B-737-322) registration (N328UA), while attempting to taxi… - [Accident 20061107029449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20061107029449A), Nov 7, 2006: Boeing 737322, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) N328UA (ual flight #672) was given taxi directions to runway 32L, by Chicago ATC, for departure via bravo south ramp line, a, A6, j, J1, t to T10… 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.