# NTSB DCA15CA012: Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170 200 LR, N622CZ, Minneapolis, MN, October 23, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 22, 2014, 19:57 local (Oct 23, 2014, 00:57 UTC)
- Place: Minneapolis, MN
- Coordinates: 44.880554, -93.213607
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8806&lon=-93.2136&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Pushback/towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/200) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Pushback/towing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 272 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA15CA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90290/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90290
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15CA012

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

the B757 Captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance between his wing and the wingtip of the ERJ-170. Contributing to the accident was the positioning of the ERJ-170 by the Compass ground personnel.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md)
- [Towing and taxiing: towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010910): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not specified (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010910/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 757-232, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=1384965), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md)
- [Towing and taxiing: towing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010910): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not specified (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 757-232, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010910/cases.md?model=1384965), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010910/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Pushback/towing: 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)
- [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 757-232, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1384965), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The ERJ-170 had been pushed back from gate G4 and positioned facing northwest on taxiway B with its parking brake set. The B757 was taxiing along taxiway A and the captain reported that he observed the ERJ-170 and ground personnel, however, it was difficult to judge the distance so he offset his taxi to the left to "be on the safe side". He reported the presence of the wing walker gave him "a false sense of security." The wing walker reported he signaled with his lighted wands for the B757 to stop but it was too late and the airplanes collided. The left wing spar of the ERJ-170 was fractured, resulting in substantial damage, and the B757 experienced minor damage to its right wing leading edge slat. In the vicinity of the collision, taxiway B has a distinct bend which brings it closer to taxiway A. Weather at the time of the event was reported as night visual conditions.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The ERJ-170 had been pushed back from gate G4 and positioned facing northwest on taxiway B with its parking brake set. The B757 was taxiing along taxiway A and the captain reported that he observed the ERJ-170 and ground personnel, however, it was difficult to judge the distance so he offset his taxi to the left to "be on the safe side". He reported the presence of the wing walker gave him "a false sense of security." The wing walker reported he signaled with his lighted wands for the B757 to stop but it was too late and the airplanes collided. The left wing spar of the ERJ-170 was fractured, resulting in substantial damage, and the B757 experienced minor damage to its right wing leading edge slat. In the vicinity of the collision, taxiway B has a distinct bend which brings it closer to taxiway A. Weather at the time of the event was reported as night visual conditions.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N622CZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: EMBRAER-EMPRESA BRASILEIRA DE ERJ 170 200 LR (200LR)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17000219
- Year built: 2008
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Compass Airlines
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: MSP, Minneapolis, MN
- Destination: SDF, Louisville, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSP, Minneapolis St Paul

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N67171](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67171), registered now, S/N 30839, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 757 232 (232)
- Registry model: [Boeing 757-232](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-232) (registry code 1384965) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW2037](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw2037) (registry code 52117, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30839
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 45727
- Engines: P & W PW2037 2000 horsepower turbo fan; P & W PW2037 2000 horsepower turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: September 1, 2014
- Departed: KMSP, Minneapolis, MN
- Destination: KLAX, Los Angeles, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSP, Minneapolis St Paul

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N622CZ; age 31; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N67171; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review February 17, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 16,819 total, 622 in this make and model, 167 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N67171; age 51; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review March 25, 2014; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 10,707 total, 502 in this make and model, 161 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 140° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: MSP

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20141022019512A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141022019512A), Oct 22, 2014: Embraer-Empresa Brasileira De ERJ 170-200 LR, Minneapolis, MN, Substantial damage. Aircraft had been pushed back from gate G-4 at msp. The brakes were set and both engines had been started. The tug towbar had been disconnected, but the ground…
- [Accident 20141022019502A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141022019502A), Oct 22, 2014: Boeing 757-232, Minneapolis, MN, Minor damage. N622CZ had been pushed back from gate G-4 at msp and had been disconnected from the tug. N67171 was taxiing and struck the trailing edge of the left winglet of…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 20, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90290. 7.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Delta (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421337&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Delta-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Compass (item 2, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421338&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Compass-Redacted.PDF
- Photos of Damage (Photos Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 4 photos, 430 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421339&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20of%20Damage%20(Photos%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Ramp Personnel Statements (item 4, .PDF, 839 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421340&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Ramp%20Personnel%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Airport Diagram (item 5, .PDF, 250 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram-Master.PDF
- Google Earth Image of Collision Area (item 6, .PDF, 149 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Google%20Earth%20Image%20of%20Collision%20Area-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.

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