# NTSB DCA16CA070: Mcdonnell Douglas MD 88, N908DE, Newark, NJ, January 24, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 24, 2016, 17:22 local (22:22 UTC) - Place: Newark, NJ - Coordinates: 40.687221, -74.177497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6872&lon=-74.1775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 153 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 24, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 92634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92634/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92634 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA070 ## Probable cause the ground crew's misjudgment of the distance between the B767 wingtip and the MD-88 tail. Contributing to the accident was the slushy condition of the ramp which limited the maneuvering space available. ## 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 · Ground crew (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=3023688), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis On January 24, 2016 at 19:22 eastern standard time, Delta Air Lines flight 1409, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, N908DE, was struck by a Boeing 767, N178DZ, that was under tow by a Delta Airlines ground crew in the vicinity of gate 42 at Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, New Jersey (EWR). There were no injuries to the 153 passengers and crew members onboard the MD-88 or to the one person aboard the B767 nor to the four ground crew personnel. There was substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the MD-88. According to the operator, after landing the MD-88 crew taxied into the alley in the vicinity of gate 36, awaiting gate 41B to clear, and set the parking brake. Airport Customer Service (ACS) representatives were towing the B767 to gate 42 (the ACS personnel were not aboard with the intent for flight), and following a Port Authority vehicle to gate 42. The ACS agents and the MD-88 flight crew reported that the ramp conditions were very slushy and limited space was available. The ACS representative aboard the B767 requested that the MD-88 pull forward, to allow clearance between the two aircraft, and the flight crew complied with the request. The captain stated that he could only move about 15 to 20 feet due to the ramp conditions. Shortly afterward, the flight crew felt the impact and noted that the two aircraft had made contact. The tug driver was not aware of the impact until after arrival at gate 42. The MD-88 was towed to the gate and passengers deplaned via the jetway. The MD-88 received substantial damage to the left elevator, elevator tab, and horizontal stabilizer tip. The left winglet of the B767 received minor damage. ## Factual narrative On January 24, 2016 at 19:22 eastern standard time, Delta Air Lines flight 1409, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, N908DE, was struck by a Boeing 767, N178DZ, that was under tow by a Delta Airlines ground crew in the vicinity of gate 42 at Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark, New Jersey (EWR). There were no injuries to the 153 passengers and crew members onboard the MD-88 or to the one person aboard the B767 nor to the four ground crew personnel. There was substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of the MD-88. According to the operator, after landing the MD-88 crew taxied into the alley in the vicinity of gate 36, awaiting gate 41B to clear, and set the parking brake. Airport Customer Service (ACS) representatives were towing the B767 to gate 42 (the ACS personnel were not aboard with the intent for flight), and following a Port Authority vehicle to gate 42. The ACS agents and the MD-88 flight crew reported that the ramp conditions were very slushy and limited space was available. The ACS representative aboard the B767 requested that the MD-88 pull forward, to allow clearance between the two aircraft, and the flight crew complied with the request. The captain stated that he could only move about 15 to 20 feet due to the ramp conditions. Shortly afterward, the flight crew felt the impact and noted that the two aircraft had made contact. The tug driver was not aware of the impact until after arrival at gate 42. The MD-88 was towed to the gate and passengers deplaned via the jetway. The MD-88 received substantial damage to the left elevator, elevator tab, and horizontal stabilizer tip. The left winglet of the B767 received minor damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N908DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N908DE-2022-11-08), registration cancelled 2022-11-08, S/N 53417, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCDONNELL DOUGLAS CORPORATION MD 88 (88) - Registry model: [Mcdonnell Douglas MD-88](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-md-88) (registry code 3023689) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney JT8D series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-jt8d-series) (registry code 52053, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 53417 - Year built: 1992 - Airframe hours: 58173 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 turbo fan; Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: Delta Air Lines, Inc. - Registered owner: Delta Air Lines, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: January 21, 2016 - Departed: DTW, Detroit, MI - Destination: EWR, Newark, NJ - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: EWR, Newark Liberty International A - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review October 30, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 15,808 total, 12,182 in this make and model, 5,504 as pilot in command, 148 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review November 24, 2015; seat: right; flight hours: 143 total, 143 in this make and model, 143 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 300° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KEWR ## Other investigations on N908DE (1) 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. - [NTSB ENG13IA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ENG13IA005), Nov 7, 2012: Boeing MD-88 (N908DE), Atlanta, GA, incident, no damage. Probable cause: The 4th stage turbine blade separation that resulted in an uncontained release of low pressure turbine blade material was Delta Air Lines' repair process for the turbine blades' tip shrouds. It was… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92634. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Maps or Charts of Accident Area (item 2, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Captain Statement (item 3, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443748&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Captain%20Statement-Master.PDF - FO Statement (item 4, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FO%20Statement-Master.PDF - FA Statements (item 5, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FA%20Statements-Master.PDF - ACS Statements (item 6, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443752&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=ACS%20Statements-Master.PDF - Maintenance Record N908DE (item 7, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Record%20N908DE-Master.PDF - Damage Photos (item 8, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443755&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photos-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. --- 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.