# NTSB DCA12CA021: Boeing 757-351, N583NW, Atlanta, GA, December 9, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 8, 2011, 19:15 local (Dec 9, 2011, 00:15 UTC) - Place: Atlanta, GA - Coordinates: 33.631942, -84.433052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6319&lon=-84.4331&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 279 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 23, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 82515 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA12CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82515/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82515 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA021 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of the captain of N303DQ to maintain a safe clearance from N583NW that was stopped on the taxiway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: visual illusion/disorientation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 757-351, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md?model=1384991), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 757-351, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1384991), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 737-732, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=1384541), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 737-732, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1384541), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 757-351, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1384991), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 737-732, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1384541), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) 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 (aircraft 2) 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 1 - Registration: [N583NW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N583NW), registered now, S/N 32983, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 757-351 - Registry model: [Boeing 757-351](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-351) (registry code 1384991) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW2040](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw2040) (registry code 52121, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32983 - Engines: P&W PW2040 40900 lbs thrust turbo jet; P&W PW2040 40900 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 ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N303DQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N303DQ-2021-04-06), registration cancelled 2021-04-06, S/N 29688, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING 737-732 - Registry model: [Boeing 737-732](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-732) (registry code 1384541) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B26/3 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b26-3-series) (registry code 13073, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 29688 - Engines: CFM INTL CFM56 25900 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM INTL CFM56 25900 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N303DQ; age 53; injuries: none; 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 - Pilot, aircraft N303DQ; age 44; injuries: none; 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 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 26, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82515. 3.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475294&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 40 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475295&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FO Statement (item 3, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475296&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FO%20Statement-Master.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.