# NTSB DCA16CA094: Boeing 737, N925NN, Detroit, MI, February 17, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 17, 2016, 06:10 local (11:10 UTC)
- Place: Detroit, MI
- Coordinates: 42.2075, -83.351943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2075&lon=-83.3519&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 155 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA16CA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92740/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92740
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA16CA094

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

N925NN flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between the two aircraft, leading to the inadvertent collision of the winglet with the horizontal stabilizer and elevator of N784SW.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 737-823, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=13844CB), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 737-7H4, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1384404), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 737-823, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=13844CB), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; 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)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

On 17 February 2016, at about 0610 central daylight time, a B737-800, registration N925NN operated by American Airlines, contacted a Southwest Airlines B737-700, registration N784SW, that was stationary on a deice pad with engines stopped and was being deiced at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Detroit, MI. The American Airlines B737 was taxiing to an adjacent deice pad when it struck the Southwest Airlines B737. N925NN incurred damage to the right winglet, and N784SW sustained substantial damage to its right elevator, elevator tab, stabilizer leading edge, and APU exhaust. There were no injuries on either airplane, and both airplanes taxied back to gate to deplane passengers. Both airplanes were operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. According to the Southwest flight crew, N784SW was stationary on the deice pad 3 with the engines shut down and was being deiced. According to the deice ground crew, N784SW and a United airplane on deice pad 4 were not fully pulled into their respective parking spots on the deice pad. N925NN passed behind N784SW and turned to enter to an adjacent deice pad, and its right winglet contacted the right elevator, horizontal stabilizer, and APU of the Southwest B737.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On 17 February 2016, at about 0610 central daylight time, a B737-800, registration N925NN operated by American Airlines, contacted a Southwest Airlines B737-700, registration N784SW, that was stationary on a deice pad with engines stopped and was being deiced at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Detroit, MI. The American Airlines B737 was taxiing to an adjacent deice pad when it struck the Southwest Airlines B737. N925NN incurred damage to the right winglet, and N784SW sustained substantial damage to its right elevator, elevator tab, stabilizer leading edge, and APU exhaust. There were no injuries on either airplane, and both airplanes taxied back to gate to deplane passengers. Both airplanes were operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. According to the Southwest flight crew, N784SW was stationary on the deice pad 3 with the engines shut down and was being deiced. According to the deice ground crew, N784SW and a United airplane on deice pad 4 were not fully pulled into their respective parking spots on the deice pad. N925NN passed behind N784SW and turned to enter to an adjacent deice pad, and its right winglet contacted the right elevator, horizontal stabilizer, and APU of the Southwest B737.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N925NN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N925NN), registered now, S/N 31169, built 2013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 737 (823)
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-823](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-823) (registry code 13844CB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B24E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b24e-series) (registry code 13804, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31169
- Year built: 2013
- Airframe hours: 9518
- Engines: Cfm Intl CFM56-7B24E turbo fan; Cfm Intl CFM56-7B24E turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: Wilmington Trust Co Trustee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 3, 2016
- Departed: DTW, Detroit, MI
- Destination: DFW, Dallas, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DTW, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Cou

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N784SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N784SW-2024-10-04), registration cancelled 2024-10-04, S/N 29810, built 2000 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-series) (registry code 13802, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29810
- Year built: 2000
- Engines: CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES 24000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Southwest Airlines
- Registered owner: Southwest Airlines Co
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: DTW, Detroit, MI
- Destination: DAL, Dallas, TX
- Airport: DTW, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Cou

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Check pilot, aircraft N925NN; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review July 23, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,449 total, 2,120 in this make and model
- Co-pilot, aircraft N925NN; age 49; injuries: none; airline transport; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review February 7, 2016; seat: right; flight hours: 26 total, 15 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N784SW; age 42; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 13,650 total, 6,430 in this make and model, 11,792 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N784SW; age 42; injuries: none; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 8,000 total, 5,400 in this make and model, 1,358 as pilot in command, 188 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 2,998 °F

## 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 20160217001792A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160217001792A), Feb 17, 2016: Boeing 737-823, Detroit, MI, Minor damage. On February 17th, 2016, at approximately 0600 local time, the emi-fsdo was notified of an accident at dtw airport involving two Boeing 737 Aircraft contacting…
- [Accident 20160217002962A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160217002962A), Feb 17, 2016: Boeing 737-7H4, Detroit, MI, Substantial damage. On February 17th, 2016, at approximately 0600 local time, the emi-fsdo was notified of an accident at dtw airport involving two Boeing 737 aircraft contacting…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 31, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92740. 4.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - SWA (item 1, .PDF, 598 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20SWA-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - AA (item 2, .PDF, 600 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20AA-Master.PDF
- Flight Data Recorder - Specialist’s Factual Report (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Data%20Recorder%20-%20Specialist%E2%80%99s%20Factual%20Report%20-Master.PDF
- Flight Data Recorder - Attachment 1 (item 4, .CSV, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481740&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Flight%20Data%20Recorder%20-%20Attachment%201-Master.csv

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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