# NTSB DCA15CA025: Boeing 737 7H4, N263WN, Dallas, TX, November 21, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 20, 2014, 20:00 local (Nov 21, 2014, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 32.841667, -96.849998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8417&lon=-96.8500&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: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 179 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA15CA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90413/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90413
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA15CA025

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

N263WN captain's failure to maintain a safe clearance from the parked N8314L resulting in a ground collision.

## Findings

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

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 737-7H4, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1384404), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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: [Boeing 737-8H4, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=138440A), [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: [Boeing 737-7H4, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1384404), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 737-8H4, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=138440A), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

On November 20, 2014, about 2000 central standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 8751, a Boeing 737-700, registration N263WN, collided with Southwest Airlines flight 301, a Boeing 737-800. N263WN was a functional check flight operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with two flight crew members onboard. N8314L was a scheduled domestic passenger flight operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121with 177 passengers and crew members onboard. There were no injuries to the occupants of either airplane. According to flight crew statements, N8314L had landed on runway 13L and was holding on taxi lane P, with parking brakes set, because gate 14 was occupied. N263WN pushed off from gate 3 and was cleared to taxi to runway 13L via taxiway B. As the flight approached taxi lane P, the first officer stated "watch the 800." The captain steered the airplane to the right of centerline of taxiway B, and believed his wingtip was clear of the left-hand horizontal stabilizer of N8314L. The captain said he then shifted his attention back to the airplane's taxi path to avoid over-correcting to the right of centerline; however, their left hand wingtip struck the parked N8314L's right hand horizontal stabilizer. N263WN's left hand wingtip received minor damage and N8314L's right hand horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On November 20, 2014, about 2000 central standard time, Southwest Airlines flight 8751, a Boeing 737-700, registration N263WN, collided with Southwest Airlines flight 301, a Boeing 737-800. N263WN was a functional check flight operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 with two flight crew members onboard. N8314L was a scheduled domestic passenger flight operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 121with 177 passengers and crew members onboard. There were no injuries to the occupants of either airplane. According to flight crew statements, N8314L had landed on runway 13L and was holding on taxi lane P, with parking brakes set, because gate 14 was occupied. N263WN pushed off from gate 3 and was cleared to taxi to runway 13L via taxiway B. As the flight approached taxi lane P, the first officer stated "watch the 800." The captain steered the airplane to the right of centerline of taxiway B, and believed his wingtip was clear of the left-hand horizontal stabilizer of N8314L. The captain said he then shifted his attention back to the airplane's taxi path to avoid over-correcting to the right of centerline; however, their left hand wingtip struck the parked N8314L's right hand horizontal stabilizer. N263WN's left hand wingtip received minor damage and N8314L's right hand horizontal stabilizer was substantially damaged.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N263WN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N263WN), registered now, S/N 32520, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737 7H4 (7H4)
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-7H4](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-7h4) (registry code 1384404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B24 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b24-series) (registry code 13044, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32520
- Year built: 2007
- Airframe hours: 28010
- Engines: CFM INTL CFM56-7B24 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM INTL CFM56-7B24 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Flight test, Part 91
- Operator: Southwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Southwest Airlines Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 19, 2014
- Departed: DAL, Dallas, TX
- Destination: DAL, Dallas, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DAL, Dallas

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N8314L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8314L), registered now, S/N 36990, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-8H4 (8H4)
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-8H4](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-8h4) (registry code 138440A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B27E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b27e-series) (registry code 13078, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36990
- Year built: 2012
- Airframe hours: 8803
- Engines: CFM INTL CFM56-7B27E 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM INTL CFM56-7B27E 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Southwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Southwest Airlines Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 18, 2014
- Departed: MDW, Chicago, IL
- Destination: DAL, Dallas, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DAL, Dallas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N263WN; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: powered-lift; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 10, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 25,000 total, 19,000 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 78 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N263WN; age 31; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 7,894 total, 342 in this make and model, 6,569 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N8314L; age 58; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 13,500 total, 3,708 in this make and model, 9,796 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N8314L; age 38; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 10,175 total, 480 in this make and model, 3,400 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: DAL

## 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 20141120021422A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141120021422A), Nov 20, 2014: Boeing 737-7H4, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Preliminary report. Additional information is required At approximately 2000C on November 20, 2014, at Dallas Love Field (dal), N263WN was taxiing from gate 3…
- [Accident 20141120021442A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141120021442A), Nov 20, 2014: Boeing 737-8H4, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Preliminary report. Additional information is required At approximately 2000C on November 20, 2014, at Dallas Love Field (dal), N263WN was taxiing from gate 3…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 19, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90413. 1.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 for N263WN (item 1, .PDF, 603 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434119&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20for%20N263WN-Master.PDF
- Pilot's Statements (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434120&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statements-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 for N8314L (item 3, .PDF, 635 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20for%20N8314L-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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