# NTSB DCA12CA122: Airbus A330, Dulles, VA, August 10, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2012, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Dulles, VA
- Coordinates: 38.947498, -77.449996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9475&lon=-77.4500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 272 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA12CA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA12CA122

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

the A330 flightcrew's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the tail of the DHC-8-400 that was stopped on the lead in line of the gate.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

the A330 flight crew's failure to maintain a safe clearance to the DHC-8 that was stopped in front of the gate.

## 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: [Bombardier DHC-8-402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=1390042), [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: [Bombardier DHC-8-402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1390042), [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: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Bombardier DHC-8-402, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=1390042), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

On August 10, 2012, at about 3:15 PM EDT, Lufthansa flight 417, an Airbus A330, D-AIKE, collided with Colgan Air flight 3912, d.b.a. United Express, a Bombardier DHC-8-400, N341NG, while the Airbus was taxiing for takeoff at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. At the time of the accident, the DHC-8 was stopped and waiting for ramp workers to assist with parking at gate A1C. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. The DHC-8 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the Airbus sustained minor damage to its right wingtip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The DHC-8 landed on runway 19C at IAD and proceeded on taxiway (TWY) A after exiting the runway. After arriving in the ramp area, ramp control cleared the flight to proceed to gate of A1C via TWY A5, which required crossing TWY B. The captain stopped the aircraft short of the gate on the lead in line and set the parking brake because there were no ramp workers present to marshal the airplane in. The A330 was pushed back from gate B49 and cleared to taxi towards TWY J via TWY B and to "hold short of A5." Prior to reaching A5, the flight was cleared to proceed to TWY J. Shortly after this, the captain saw the DHC-8 stopped near the gate and reduced taxi speed and asked the first officer if there was sufficient space on the right side for the A330 to pass. The first officer replied that the DHC-8 appeared to be at its proper parking space and that there was enough room. As the A330 taxied past, its winglet struck the DCH-8 rudder and vertical stabilizer. The A330 crew stated they never received any notification from ground control or ramp control that the DCH-8 was obstructing the taxiway or not in its parking position.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

On August 10, 2012, at about 3:15 PM EDT, Lufthansa flight 417, an Airbus A330, D-AIKE, collided with Colgan Air flight 3912, d.b.a. United Express, a Bombardier DHC-8-400, N341NG, while the Airbus was taxiing for takeoff at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. At the time of the accident, the DHC-8 was stopped and waiting for ramp workers to assist with parking at gate A1C. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. The DHC-8 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the Airbus sustained minor damage to its right wingtip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The DHC-8 landed on runway 19C at IAD and proceeded on taxiway (TWY) A after exiting the runway. After arriving in the ramp area, ramp control cleared the flight to proceed to gate of A1C via TWY A5, which required crossing TWY B. The captain stopped the aircraft short of the gate on the lead in line and set the parking brake because there were no ramp workers present to marshal the airplane in. The A330 was pushed back from gate B49 and cleared to taxi towards TWY J via TWY B and to "hold short of A5." Prior to reaching A5, the flight was cleared to proceed to TWY J. Shortly after this, the captain saw the DHC-8 stopped near the gate and reduced taxi speed and asked the first officer if there was sufficient space on the right side for the A330 to pass. The first officer replied that the DHC-8 appeared to be at its proper parking space and that there was enough room. As the A330 taxied past, its winglet struck the DCH-8 rudder and vertical stabilizer. The A330 crew stated they never received any notification from ground control or ramp control that the DCH-8 was obstructing the taxiway or not in its parking position.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On August 10, 2012, at about 3:15 PM EDT, Lufthansa flight 417, an Airbus A330, D-AIKE, collided with Colgan Air flight 3912, d.b.a. United Express, a Bombardier DHC-8-400, N341NG, while the Airbus was taxiing for takeoff at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. At the time of the accident, the DHC-8 was stopped and waiting for ramp workers to assist with parking at gate A1C. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. The DHC-8 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the Airbus sustained minor damage to its right wingtip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The DHC-8 landed on runway 19C at IAD and proceeded on taxiway (TWY) A after exiting the runway. After arriving in the ramp area, ramp control cleared the flight to proceed to gate of A1C via TWY A5, which required crossing TWY B. The captain stopped the aircraft short of the gate on the lead in line and set the parking brake because there were no ramp workers present to marshal the airplane in. The A330 was pushed back from gate B49 and cleared to taxi towards TWY J via TWY B and to "hold short of A5." Prior to reaching A5, the flight was cleared to proceed to TWY J. Shortly after this, the captain saw the DHC-8 stopped near the gate and reduced taxi speed and asked the first officer if there was sufficient space on the right side for the A330 to pass. The first officer replied that the DHC-8 appeared to be at its proper parking space and that there was enough room. As the A330 taxied past, its winglet struck the DCH-8 rudder and vertical stabilizer. The A330 crew stated they never received any notification from ground control or ramp control that the DCH-8 was obstructing the taxiway or not in its parking position.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On August 10, 2012, at about 3:15 PM EDT, Lufthansa flight 417, an Airbus A330, D-AIKE, collided with Colgan Air flight 3912, d.b.a. United Express, a Bombardier DHC-8-400, N341NG, while the Airbus was taxiing for takeoff at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Dulles, Virginia. At the time of the accident, the DHC-8 was stopped and waiting for ramp workers to assist with parking at gate A1C. There were no injuries to any of the passengers or crewmembers on either airplane. The DHC-8 received substantial damage to its rudder and vertical stabilizer and the Airbus sustained minor damage to its right wingtip. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The DHC-8 landed on runway 19C at IAD and proceeded on taxiway (TWY) A after exiting the runway. After arriving in the ramp area, ramp control cleared the flight to proceed to gate of A1C via TWY A5, which required crossing TWY B. The captain stopped the aircraft short of the gate on the lead in line and set the parking brake because there were no ramp workers present to marshal the airplane in. The A330 was pushed back from gate B49 and cleared to taxi towards TWY J via TWY B and to "hold short of A5." Prior to reaching A5, the flight was cleared to proceed to TWY J. Shortly after this, the captain saw the DHC-8 stopped near the gate and reduced taxi speed and asked the first officer if there was sufficient space on the right side for the A330 to pass. The first officer replied that the DHC-8 appeared to be at its proper parking space and that there was enough room. As the A330 taxied past, its winglet struck the DCH-8 rudder and vertical stabilizer. The A330 crew stated they never received any notification from ground control or ramp control that the DCH-8 was obstructing the taxiway or not in its parking position.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: D-AIKE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS A330 (343)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: ROLLS ROYCE TRENT772B turbo fan; ROLLS ROYCE TRENT772B turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 129
- Operator: Lufthansa
- Registered owner: Lufthansa
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: IAD, Dulles, VA
- Destination: FRA, Frankfurt
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IAD, Washington Dulles Internationa

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N341NG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N341NG-2016-03-17), registration cancelled 2016-03-17, S/N 4341, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOMBARDIER INC DHC-8-402
- Registry model: [Bombardier DHC-8-402](https://openairdocs.org/model/bombardier-dhc-8-402) (registry code 1390042) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pw150a) (registry code 52167, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4341
- Engines: P&W CANADA PW150A 4580 lbs thrust turbo prop; P&W CANADA PW150A 4580 lbs thrust turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Colgan Air Inc, doing business as United Express
- Registered owner: Colgan Air Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: PIT, Pittsburgh, PA
- Destination: IAD, Dulles, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IAD, Washington Dulles Internationa

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

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.

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