# NTSB CHI97IA164: Douglas DC-10-30F, N302FE, Chicago, IL, June 10, 1997 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: June 9, 1997, 23:18 local (Jun 10, 1997, 04:18 UTC) - Place: Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.870529, -87.650405 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8705&lon=-87.6504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 7 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10466 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97IA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10466/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97IA164 ## Probable cause the lack of communications to assure safe operations between aircraft on a non-movement area. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Near collision between aircraft, taxi - communications - not required, other person (cause) - procedure inadequate, other person (cause) ## Analysis A Federal Express (FEDEX) DC-10 landed on runway 14L, and was assigned to stay on the local control frequency. The FEDEX DC-10 taxied to the southwest cargo ramp. The FEDEX DC-10 turned onto taxiway Kilo 1 and held their position after they saw Japan Airlines (JAL) B-747 taxiing out of the ramp area to Kilo 2 taxiway. The FEDEX DC-10 crew realized that there was insufficient clearance between airplanes. The FEDEX crew called the JAL airplane about the impending collision on the local control's frequency. The FEDEX DC-10 Captain applied reverse thrust and moved approximately 15 to 20 feet back on taxiway Kilo 1. The JAL airplane moved to the right side of the centerline and continued to taxiway Kilo 2 on the outbound ground controller's frequency. Both aircraft were on a non-movement area. ## Factual narrative On June 9, 1997, at 2318 central daylight time (cdt), a Douglas DC-10-30F, Federal Express Flight 80, N302FE, and a Boeing 747- 200F, Japan Airlines Flight 6012, N211JL, were involved in a near collision while the two airplanes were taxiing into and out of the cargo non-movement ramp area at O'Hare International Airport. The Federal Express DC-10 was taxiing into the ramp area while the Japan Airline B-747 was taxiing out of the ramp area. The Federal Express DC-10 had to back up approximately 15 to 20 feet in order not to be struck by the left wing of the Japan Airline's left wing tip. There were no injuries to the 4 crew members on Flight 80. There were no injuries to the 3 crew members on Flight 6012. Both flights were conducting scheduled cargo service, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121. IFR flight plans were filed for both flights. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in Chicago, Illinois. The Federal Express (FEDEX) DC-10 had landed on runway 14L, taxied off onto taxiway Alpha and was instructed by the local controller (tower) to hold short of runway 9R via taxiway Mike, then left onto Kilo, and to remain on the local controller's frequency. The FEDEX DC-10 then received clearance to taxi to the southwest cargo ramp. The FEDEX DC-10 taxied to Kilo 1 taxiway and held short of Kilo 2 taxiway to give way for the outbound Japan Airline (JAL) B-747 taxiing out to Kilo 2 taxiway. The JAL B-747 was monitoring outbound ground control frequency. Both airplanes were on non-movement ramp area. As the JAL B-747 approached the FEDEX DC-10 airplane on Kilo 1 taxiway, the JAL B-747 moved to the right of the ramp center line to avoid hitting the nose of the FEDEX DC-10. The FEDEX DC-10 called on the local frequency that "hey JAL you're not gonna make it you're not gonna make it hold stop." The FEDEX DC-10 Captain applied reverse thrust and moved approximately 15 to 20 feet back on taxiway Kilo 1 to avoid getting hit. The JAL B-747 never heard the FEDEX DC-10's call because they were on the outbound ground frequency. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N302FE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N302FE-2024-02-03), registration cancelled 2024-02-03, S/N 46801, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Douglas DC-10-30F - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-10-30F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-md-10-30f) (registry code 3024020) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [GE CF6-50C2](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf6-50c2) (registry code 30085, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46801 - Airframe hours: 58833 - Engines: GE CF6-50C2 50000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: No damage - Flight: Part 121 - Registered owner: Federal Express Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 8, 1996, 2,167 hours before - Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: ORD - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ORD, O'Hare International, runway 14L, 10,003 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,007 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ORD ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 19970609025279I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970609025279I), Jun 9, 1997: Doug DC1030F, Chicago, IL. Taxiing to ramp no frequency for area. Had to back up due outboned traffic. ATC then set up 1219 for temp control. ## Other investigations on N302FE (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC00LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA086), Mar 1, 2000: McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30F (N302FE), Newark, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The tug operator's inadequate visual lookout. 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.