DCA12CA021

NTSB accident investigation · Boeing 757-351 · Atlanta, GA · December 9, 2011

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
December 8, 2011, 19:15 local (Dec 9, 2011, 00:15 UTC)
Place
Atlanta, GA
Injuries
279 uninjured
Phase of flight
Standing
Aircraft
N583NWBoeing 757-351N303DQBoeing 737-732
Defining events
Standing: Ground collisionTaxi: Ground collision
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night
Status
Completed · report August 23, 2019
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Major Investigations Division
Case key
82515

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 failure of the captain of N303DQ to maintain a safe clearance from N583NW that was stopped on the 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.

N583NW · Boeing 757-351

Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientationPersonnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraftBoeing 757-351: 1 caseAll aircraft: 51 casesProbable cause
Action: incorrect action performancePersonnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraftBoeing 757-351: 1 caseAll aircraft: 1,386 casesProbable cause

N303DQ · Boeing 737-732

Action: incorrect action performancePersonnel issues › Action/decision · PilotBoeing 737-732: 1 caseAll aircraft: 1,386 casesProbable cause

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.

N583NW · Boeing 757-351

N303DQ · Boeing 737-732

Analysis

On December 8, 2011, Delta Airlines flight 2036, a Boeing 737-700, N303DQ, collided with Delta Airlines flight 787, a Boeing 757-300, N583NW, while N303DQ was taxiing to the gate after landing at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (KATL), Atlanta, Georgia. At the time of the accident, N583NW was stopped on the taxiway. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. N583NW received substantial damage to its right horizontal stabilizer and elevator and N303DQ sustained minor damage to its left winglet. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. After landing on runway 9R, N303DQ exited onto taxiway N10 and was directed by the local controller to "make a right turn on taxiway N, snug up on a 757, your gate is occupied." The B757, N583NW, was stopped on taxiway N east of taxiway J, facing east, awaiting clearance to taxi to their gate. N303DQ stopped on taxiway N, west of taxiway J. Approximately 15 minutes later, the local controller directed N303DQ to make a right turn on taxiway J and hold short of runway 9R to taxi the flight to ramp 1 via taxiway R. The captain of N303DQ indicated that he looked out his left window and it appeared there was sufficient clearance with the N583NW, however, the flight crew felt the airplane shudder as the turn was completed and stopped the airplane ahead. Immediately, N583DQ reported to the local controller that they thought that their airplane had been hit from behind. The captain of N303DQ confirmed to the local controller that their left winglet was damaged. Airport rescue crews were dispatched and inspected both aircraft and then both airplanes taxied to their gates without further incident. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on N583NW were substantially damaged.

Factual narrative

On December 8, 2011, Delta Airlines flight 2036, a Boeing 737-700, N303DQ, collided with Delta Airlines flight 787, a Boeing 757-300, N583NW, while N303DQ was taxiing to the gate after landing at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (KATL), Atlanta, Georgia. At the time of the accident, N583NW was stopped on the taxiway. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. N583NW received substantial damage to its right horizontal stabilizer and elevator and N303DQ sustained minor damage to its left winglet. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. After landing on runway 9R, N303DQ exited onto taxiway N10 and was directed by the local controller to "make a right turn on taxiway N, snug up on a 757, your gate is occupied." The B757, N583NW, was stopped on taxiway N east of taxiway J, facing east, awaiting clearance to taxi to their gate. N303DQ stopped on taxiway N, west of taxiway J. Approximately 15 minutes later, the local controller directed N303DQ to make a right turn on taxiway J and hold short of runway 9R to taxi the flight to ramp 1 via taxiway R. The captain of N303DQ indicated that he looked out his left window and it appeared there was sufficient clearance with the N583NW, however, the flight crew felt the airplane shudder as the turn was completed and stopped the airplane ahead. Immediately, N583DQ reported to the local controller that they thought that their airplane had been hit from behind. The captain of N303DQ confirmed to the local controller that their left winglet was damaged. Airport rescue crews were dispatched and inspected both aircraft and then both airplanes taxied to their gates without further incident. The right horizontal stabilizer and elevator on N583NW were substantially damaged.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N583NW
Reported as
Boeing 757-351
Category
Airplane
Serial number
32983
Engines
P&W PW2040, 40,900 lbs thrust, turbo jetP&W PW2040, 40,900 lbs thrust, turbo jet
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Part 121
Operator
Delta Air Lines Inc
Registered owner
Delta Air Lines Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Transport
Departed
MSP · Minneapolis, MN
Destination
ATL · Atlanta, GA
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
ATL · Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta I

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
N303DQ
Reported as
Boeing 737-732
Category
Airplane
Serial number
29688
Engines
CFM Intl CFM56, 25,900 lbs thrust, turbo fanCFM Intl CFM56, 25,900 lbs thrust, turbo fan
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Part 121
Operator
Delta Air Lines Inc
Registered owner
Delta Air Lines Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Transport
Departed
EYW · Key West, FL
Destination
ATL · Atlanta, GA
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
ATL · Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta I

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.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot, aircraft N303DQ
Age
53
Injuries
None
Certificate
Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Unknown
Last flight review
April 15, 2011
Restraint
5-point
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
11,781 total · 7,309 in this make and model
Role
Pilot, aircraft N303DQ
Age
44
Injuries
None
Certificate
Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Unknown
Last flight review
June 24, 2011
Seat
Right
Restraint
5-point
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
2,456 total · 2,118 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 26, 2019, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.0 MB in all.