# NTSB DCA12CA082: Boeing 747, Chicago, IL, May 30, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2012, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.973331, -87.903335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9733&lon=-87.9033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 24 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 83801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA12CA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83801/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA082 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the B747 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the tail of the EMB135 that was stopped on a taxiway. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the 747 flight crew's failure to maintain a safe clearance with the EMB-135 that was stopped on a taxiway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Flight crew (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [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 · Flight crew (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [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 of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Embraer EMB-135KL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=3260302), [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 of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Embraer EMB-135KL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3260302), [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. - [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Embraer EMB-135KL, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=3260302), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) On May 30, 2012, at about 1300 central daylight time, American Eagle Airlines flight 4265, an Embraer EMB-135, N834AE, was holding in the ramp area when it was struck by EVA Air flight 661, a Boeing 747-400, registration B16481, while the 747 was taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. The EMB-135 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the 747 received minor damage to its wingtip and slat. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crew on either airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The EMB-135 was holding in the ramp area with its tail protruding into taxiway (TWY) A while awaiting ground personnel to marshal them into gate G20. The 747 was initially parked at cargo bay SC6 and was instructed to taxi to runway 32L for departure. After crossing runway 28 and taxiing along TWY A, the 747 flight crew stated they saw the EMB-135 stopped short of gate G20. As the 747 approached the EMB-135, the captain stated that he knew it would be close and asked the other two flight crew members to help ensure there was enough wing tip clearance. Both of these crew members stated that there should be enough clearance based on their perspective in the cockpit. As the 747 taxied past the EMB-135, the leading edge slat of the B747 struck the vertical stabilizer of the EMB-135. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) On May 30, 2012, at about 1300 central daylight time, American Eagle Airlines flight 4265, an Embraer EMB-135, N834AE, was holding in the ramp area when it was struck by EVA Air flight 661, a Boeing 747-400, registration B16481, while the 747 was taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. The EMB-135 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the 747 received minor damage to its wingtip and slat. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crew on either airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The EMB-135 was holding in the ramp area with its tail protruding into taxiway (TWY) A while awaiting ground personnel to marshal them into gate G20. The 747 was initially parked at cargo bay SC6 and was instructed to taxi to runway 32L for departure. After crossing runway 28 and taxiing along TWY A, the 747 flight crew stated they saw the EMB-135 stopped short of gate G20. As the 747 approached the EMB-135, the captain stated that he knew it would be close and asked the other two flight crew members to help ensure there was enough wing tip clearance. Both of these crew members stated that there should be enough clearance based on their perspective in the cockpit. As the 747 taxied past the EMB-135, the leading edge slat of the B747 struck the vertical stabilizer of the EMB-135. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On May 30, 2012, at about 1300 central daylight time, American Eagle Airlines flight 4265, an Embraer EMB-135, N834AE, was holding in the ramp area when it was struck by EVA Air flight 661, a Boeing 747-400, registration B16481, while the 747 was taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. The EMB-135 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the 747 received minor damage to its wingtip and slat. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crew on either airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The EMB-135 was holding in the ramp area with its tail protruding into taxiway (TWY) A while awaiting ground personnel to marshal them into gate G20. The 747 was initially parked at cargo bay SC6 and was instructed to taxi to runway 32L for departure. After crossing runway 28 and taxiing along TWY A, the 747 flight crew stated they saw the EMB-135 stopped short of gate G20. As the 747 approached the EMB-135, the captain stated that he knew it would be close and asked the other two flight crew members to help ensure there was enough wing tip clearance. Both of these crew members stated that there should be enough clearance based on their perspective in the cockpit. As the 747 taxied past the EMB-135, the leading edge slat of the B747 struck the vertical stabilizer of the EMB-135. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On May 30, 2012, at about 1300 central daylight time, American Eagle Airlines flight 4265, an Embraer EMB-135, N834AE, was holding in the ramp area when it was struck by EVA Air flight 661, a Boeing 747-400, registration B16481, while the 747 was taxiing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago, Illinois. The EMB-135 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the 747 received minor damage to its wingtip and slat. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crew on either airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The EMB-135 was holding in the ramp area with its tail protruding into taxiway (TWY) A while awaiting ground personnel to marshal them into gate G20. The 747 was initially parked at cargo bay SC6 and was instructed to taxi to runway 32L for departure. After crossing runway 28 and taxiing along TWY A, the 747 flight crew stated they saw the EMB-135 stopped short of gate G20. As the 747 approached the EMB-135, the captain stated that he knew it would be close and asked the other two flight crew members to help ensure there was enough wing tip clearance. Both of these crew members stated that there should be enough clearance based on their perspective in the cockpit. As the 747 taxied past the EMB-135, the leading edge slat of the B747 struck the vertical stabilizer of the EMB-135. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: B16481 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BOEING 747 (45EF) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30607 - Airframe hours: 57114 - Engines: GE CF6-80C2-B1F 57160 lbs thrust turbo fan; GE CF6-80C2-B1F 57160 lbs thrust turbo fan; GE CF6-80C2-B1F 57160 lbs thrust turbo fan; GE CF6-80C2-B1F 57160 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 129 - Operator: Eva Airways Corp - Registered owner: Julystar 747-00 Limited - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 16, 2012 - Departed: ORD, Chicago, IL - Destination: ANC, Anchorage, AK - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ORD, Chicago O’Hare International ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N834AE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N834AE-2024-07-29), registration cancelled 2024-07-29, S/N 145631, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: EMBRAER EMB 135KL (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Embraer EMB-135KL](https://openairdocs.org/model/embraer-emb-135kl) (registry code 3260302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce DART RDA-10](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-dart-rda-10) (registry code 54524, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 145631 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 24059 - Engines: Rolls Royce CAE312447 turbo jet; Rolls Royce CAE311602 turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: American Airlines Inc - Registered owner: American Airlines Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 26, 2012 - Departed: SGF, Springfield, MO - Destination: ORD, Chicago, IL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ORD, Chicago O’Hare International ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft 1; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 13, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 15,661 total, 6,244 in this make and model, 5,636 as pilot in command, 247 in the last 90 days, 93 in the last 30 days - Co-pilot, aircraft 1; age 60; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 14, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 16,108 total, 7,327 in this make and model, 212 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N834AE; age 35; injuries: none; airline transport, private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 17, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 7,421 total, 6,171 in this make and model, 169 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot, aircraft N834AE; age 27; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2011; seat: right; flight hours: 3,386 total, 201 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 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). - [Accident 20120530010572A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120530010572A), May 30, 2012: Embraer EMB-135-KL, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. A Boeing 747-400, registration number B16481, operated by eva air (qocf), struck the vertical stabilizer of an Embraer, EMB-135-KL, registration number N834AE,… 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.