DCA13LA039

NTSB accident investigation · Boeing 777 - 300 · Miami, FL · January 17, 2013

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
January 17, 2013, 17:42 local (22:42 UTC)
Place
Miami, FL
Injuries
397 uninjured
Phase of flight
Prior to flight
Aircraft
F-GZNIBoeing 777 - 300LV-BMTAirbus A340 - 300
Defining events
Prior to flight: Ground collisionTaxi: Ground collision
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 7, 2020
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Major Investigations Division
Case key
86048

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

LV-BMT flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between the two aircraft, leading to the inadvertent collision of the left winglet with the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of F-GNZI. Contributing to the accident were the incorrect instructions given by the Miami Gates controller to the LV-BMT flight crew.

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.

Boeing 777 - 300

Communication (personnel): accuracy of communicationPersonnel issues › Task performance · OtherAll aircraft: 25 casesProbable cause
Info processing/decision: decision making/judgmentPersonnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraftAll aircraft: 3,098 casesProbable cause

Airbus A340 - 300

Communication (personnel): accuracy of communicationPersonnel issues › Task performance · OtherAll aircraft: 25 casesProbable cause
Info processing/decision: decision making/judgmentPersonnel issues › Action/decision · PilotAll aircraft: 3,098 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.

Boeing 777 - 300

Ground collisionPrior to flightAll aircraft: 618 casesDefining event

Airbus A340 - 300

Analysis

After arriving from Ministro Pistarini International Airport (SAEZ), Buenos Aires, Argentina, LV-BMT was directed by Miami ground control to taxi to the passenger terminal via taxiway Q. According to recorded data, LV-BMT was directed to spot 14W and cleared to gate H8A by Miami-Dade Aviation Department Aircraft Gate Control (Miami Gates). About 3 minutes later, the Miami Gates controller attempted to contact LV-BMT three times but used the incorrect flight number. On the third attempt, the crew of LV-BMT responded and were told they were "on the wrong line." The crew responded "14 Whiskey" but did not stop their taxi. While taxiing from spot 14W the left winglet of LV-BMT struck F-GNZI, which was parked at gate H10.

Factual narrative

On January 17, 2013, about 1742 eastern standard time, Air France flight 695, a Boeing B777-300, F-GNZI, was parked at the gate and in the process of boarding passengers at the Miami International Airport (KMIA), Miami, Florida, when the left winglet of taxiing Aerolineas Argentinas flight 1304, an Airbus 340-300, LV-BMT, struck its right horizontal stabilizer and elevator. The elevator of F-GNZI was substantially damaged and LV-BMT sustained minor damage. There were no reported injuries on either aircraft. Both aircraft were being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 129.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
F-GZNI
Reported as
Boeing 777 - 300
Category
Airplane
Serial number
39973
Airframe hours
8,084
Engines
General Electric GE90-115B, 115,000 lbs thrust, turbo fanGeneral Electric GE90-115B, 115,000 lbs thrust, turbo fan
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Part 129
Operator
Air France
Registered owner
Jackson Square Aviation, LLC
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Transport
Last inspection
AAIP · January 17, 2013
Airport
MIA · Miami Intl
Equipment
Stall warning system, Data recorder
Registration
LV-BMT
Reported as
Airbus A340 - 300
Category
Airplane
Serial number
0048
Engines
turbo fanturbo fanturbo fanturbo fan
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Part 129
Operator
Aerolineas Argentinas S.A.
Registered owner
Unknown
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Transport
Departed
SAEZ · Buenos Aires
Destination
MIA · Miami, FL
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
MIA · Miami Intl
Equipment
Unknown

Flight crew · 4

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot, aircraft 1
Age
49
Injuries
None
Certificates
Foreign, Airline transport
Medical
Class 1, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
June 22, 2012
Seat
Left
Restraint
None
Flight hours
15,096 total · 1,614 in this make and model · 7,234 as pilot in command · 168 in the last 90 days · 40 in the last 30 days · 0 in the last 24 hours
Role
Co-pilot, aircraft 1
Age
38
Injuries
None
Certificates
Airline transport, Foreign
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 1, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
August 28, 2012
Seat
Right
Restraint
None
Flight hours
7,454 total · 1,635 in this make and model · 0 as pilot in command · 152 in the last 90 days · 29 in the last 30 days · 0 in the last 24 hours
Role
Pilot, aircraft 2
Age
60
Injuries
None
Certificates
Foreign, Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
December 23, 2012
Seat
Left
Restraint
5-point
Flight hours
22,248 total · 90 in the last 90 days · 40 in the last 30 days · 9 in the last 24 hours
Role
Co-pilot, aircraft 2
Age
36
Injuries
None
Certificates
Foreign, Flight instructor, Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Without waivers/limitations
Seat
Right
Restraint
5-point
Flight hours
3,985 total · 73 in this make and model · 2,149 as pilot in command · 73 in the last 90 days · 29 in the last 30 days · 8 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
230° at 7 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
77 °F, dew point 63 °F
Altimeter
30.02 inHg
Observed at
MIA

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 7, 2020, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 4.9 MB in all.