- Date
- July 14, 2011, 19:33 local (23:33 UTC)
- Place
- Boston, MA
- Injuries
- 291 uninjured
- Phase of flight
- Standing
- Defining events
- Standing: Ground collisionTaxi-to runway: Ground collision
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 8, 2016
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Major Investigations Division
- FAA reports
- 20110714023752A20110714023742A
- Case key
- 81120
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the B767 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the tail of the CRJ900 that was stopped on a taxiway.
the B767 flight crew's failure to maintain a safe clearance with the CRJ900 that was stopped on a taxiway.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
N132EV · Bombardier CL600 2D24
N185DN · Boeing 767 332
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
N132EV · Bombardier CL600 2D24
N185DN · Boeing 767 332
Analysis
On July 14, 2011, about 1933 eastern daylight time, Delta Air Lines flight 266, a Boeing 767-300ER, N185DN, was taxiing for departure when its left winglet struck the horizontal stabilizer of Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 4904, a Bombardier CL-600-2D24 (CRJ900), N132EV, which was on taxiway M holding for departure on runway 09 at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. The CRJ900 sustained substantial damage and the 767 sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to any of the passengers and crew aboard either airplane. Flight 4904, the CRJ900, was stopped behind two other airplanes on the south side of taxiway M awaiting takeoff clearance for runway 9. Flight 266, the B767, was taxiing for departure on runway 4R and was instructed by the ground controller to hold short of runway 4L on taxiway B. After holding short of runway 4L for a few minutes, the ground controller instructed them to "taxi to runway 4R, good rate around the corner." The captain recalled the ground controller had said the landing traffic was four miles out on final approach. The flight crew stated that they looked for the landing traffic and saw a "heavy" airplane approaching the airport with its landing gear extended were not sure if the landing traffic was going to runway 4L, runway 4R or runway 9. The captain indicated he expedited the taxi to cross the runway 4L approach path and estimated a taxi speed of more than 20 knots when they crossed the 4L approach path. After the B767 crossed the runway 4L approach path, ATC said "nice job, monitor tower on 132.22, should get you right outta here at this next arrival." The B767 first officer (FO) stated he then was changing to the tower frequency when he looked up and saw that they were closing the distance to the CRJ900 faster than he had expected and said "watch this guy". The captain stated that after turning on to taxiway B, he noticed the CRJ900 that was stopped on taxiway M and thought that it looked clear of taxiway B. The captain stated that it looked like they would be clear of the CRJ900 but the distance was going to be close so he steered the B767 slightly to the right (about three feet) of the taxiway centerline and applied light braking when the collision occurred. According to the accident captain and a Delta check airman, the B767 wingtips are not visible from the cockpit unless the windows are opened. The CRJ900 sustained substantial damage to the horizontal tail and vertical tail and fluid was lost in all three hydraulic systems.
On July 14, 2011, about 1933 eastern daylight time, Delta Air Lines flight 266, a Boeing 767-300ER, N185DN, was taxiing for departure when its left winglet struck the horizontal stabilizer of Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 4904, a Bombardier CL-600-2D24 (CRJ900), N132EV, which was on taxiway M holding for departure on runway 09 at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. The CRJ900 sustained substantial damage and the 767 sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to any of the passengers and crew aboard either airplane. Flight 4904, the CRJ900, was stopped behind two other airplanes on the south side of taxiway M awaiting takeoff clearance for runway 9. Flight 266, the B767, was taxiing for departure on runway 4R and was instructed by the ground controller to hold short of runway 4L on taxiway B. After holding short of runway 4L for a few minutes, the ground controller instructed them to "taxi to runway 4R, good rate around the corner." The captain recalled the ground controller had said the landing traffic was four miles out on final approach. The flight crew stated that they looked for the landing traffic and saw a "heavy" airplane approaching the airport with its landing gear extended were not sure if the landing traffic was going to runway 4L, runway 4R or runway 9. The captain indicated he expedited the taxi to cross the runway 4L approach path and estimated a taxi speed of more than 20 knots when they crossed the 4L approach path. After the B767 crossed the runway 4L approach path, ATC said "nice job, monitor tower on 132.22, should get you right outta here at this next arrival." The B767 first officer (FO) stated he then was changing to the tower frequency when he looked up and saw that they were closing the distance to the CRJ900 faster than he had expected and said "watch this guy". The captain stated that after turning on to taxiway B, he noticed the CRJ900 that was stopped on taxiway M and thought that it looked clear of taxiway B. The captain stated that it looked like they would be clear of the CRJ900 but the distance was going to be close so he steered the B767 slightly to the right (about three feet) of the taxiway centerline and applied light braking when the collision occurred. According to the accident captain and a Delta check airman, the B767 wingtips are not visible from the cockpit unless the windows are opened. The CRJ900 sustained substantial damage to the horizontal tail and vertical tail and fluid was lost in all three hydraulic systems.
Factual narrative
On July 14, 2011, about 1933 eastern daylight time, Delta Air Lines flight 266, a Boeing 767-300ER, N185DN, was taxiing for departure when its left winglet struck the horizontal stabilizer of Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 4904, a Bombardier CL-600-2D24 (CRJ900), N132EV, which was on taxiway M holding for departure on runway 09 at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. The CRJ900 sustained substantial damage and the 767 sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to any of the passengers and crew aboard either airplane. Flight 4904, the CRJ900, was stopped behind two other airplanes on the south side of taxiway M awaiting takeoff clearance for runway 9. Flight 266, the B767, was taxiing for departure on runway 4R and was instructed by the ground controller to hold short of runway 4L on taxiway B. After holding short of runway 4L for a few minutes, the ground controller instructed them to "taxi to runway 4R, good rate around the corner." The captain recalled the ground controller had said the landing traffic was four miles out on final approach. The flight crew stated that they looked for the landing traffic and saw a "heavy" airplane approaching the airport with its landing gear extended were not sure if the landing traffic was going to runway 4L, runway 4R or runway 9. The captain indicated he expedited the taxi to cross the runway 4L approach path and estimated a taxi speed of more than 20 knots when they crossed the 4L approach path. After the B767 crossed the runway 4L approach path, ATC said "nice job, monitor tower on 132.22, should get you right outta here at this next arrival." The B767 first officer (FO) stated he then was changing to the tower frequency when he looked up and saw that they were closing the distance to the CRJ900 faster than he had expected and said "watch this guy". The captain stated that after turning on to taxiway B, he noticed the CRJ900 that was stopped on taxiway M and thought that it looked clear of taxiway B. The captain stated that it looked like they would be clear of the CRJ900 but the distance was going to be close so he steered the B767 slightly to the right (about three feet) of the taxiway centerline and applied light braking when the collision occurred. According to the accident captain and a Delta check airman, the B767 wingtips are not visible from the cockpit unless the windows are opened. The CRJ900 sustained substantial damage to the horizontal tail and vertical tail and fluid was lost in all three hydraulic systems.
On July 14, 2011, about 1933 eastern daylight time, Delta Air Lines flight 266, a Boeing 767-300ER, N185DN, was taxiing for departure when its left winglet struck the horizontal stabilizer of Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 4904, a Bombardier CL-600-2D24 (CRJ900), N132EV, which was on taxiway M holding for departure on runway 09 at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Boston, Massachusetts. The CRJ900 sustained substantial damage and the 767 sustained minor damage. There were no injuries to any of the passengers and crew aboard either airplane. Flight 4904, the CRJ900, was stopped behind two other airplanes on the south side of taxiway M awaiting takeoff clearance for runway 9. Flight 266, the B767, was taxiing for departure on runway 4R and was instructed by the ground controller to hold short of runway 4L on taxiway B. After holding short of runway 4L for a few minutes, the ground controller instructed them to "taxi to runway 4R, good rate around the corner." The captain recalled the ground controller had said the landing traffic was four miles out on final approach. The flight crew stated that they looked for the landing traffic and saw a "heavy" airplane approaching the airport with its landing gear extended were not sure if the landing traffic was going to runway 4L, runway 4R or runway 9. The captain indicated he expedited the taxi to cross the runway 4L approach path and estimated a taxi speed of more than 20 knots when they crossed the 4L approach path. After the B767 crossed the runway 4L approach path, ATC said "nice job, monitor tower on 132.22, should get you right outta here at this next arrival." The B767 first officer (FO) stated he then was changing to the tower frequency when he looked up and saw that they were closing the distance to the CRJ900 faster than he had expected and said "watch this guy". The captain stated that after turning on to taxiway B, he noticed the CRJ900 that was stopped on taxiway M and thought that it looked clear of taxiway B. The captain stated that it looked like they would be clear of the CRJ900 but the distance was going to be close so he steered the B767 slightly to the right (about three feet) of the taxiway centerline and applied light braking when the collision occurred. According to the accident captain and a Delta check airman, the B767 wingtips are not visible from the cockpit unless the windows are opened. The CRJ900 sustained substantial damage to the horizontal tail and vertical tail and fluid was lost in all three hydraulic systems.
Aircraft · 2
- Registration
- N132EV
- Reported as
- Bombardier CL600 2D24 (900)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15219
- Airframe hours
- 6,150
- Engines
- GE CF 34-8C5, 14,510 lbs thrust, turbo fanGE CF 34-8C5, 14,510 lbs thrust, turbo fan
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Part 121
- Operator
- Atlantic Southeast Airlines Inc, doing business as ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES -Delta Connection
- Registered owner
- Delta Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · May 9, 2011
- Departed
- BOS · Boston, MA
- Destination
- RDU · Raliegh-Durham, NC
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- BOS · General Edward Lawrence Logan
- Equipment
- Stall warning system
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
- Registration
- N185DN
- Reported as
- Boeing 767 332 (332)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 27961
- Built
- 1995
- Airframe hours
- 76,810
- Engines
- P&W PW4000 SER, 62,000 lbs thrust, turbo fanP&W PW4000 SER, 62,000 lbs thrust, turbo fan
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Part 121
- Operator
- Delta Air Lines
- Registered owner
- Delta Air Lines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · June 21, 2011
- Departed
- BOS · Boston, MA
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- BOS · General Edward Lawrence Logan
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 110° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Temperature
- 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.96 inHg
- Observed at
- KBOS
Docket · 13
The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2018, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.5 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 2
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.