# NTSB DCA17CA147: Airbus A321 231, N991AU, Chicago, IL, July 1, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 30, 2017, 21:30 local (Jul 1, 2017, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Chicago, IL
- Coordinates: 41.977222, -87.89833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9772&lon=-87.8983&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); [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 189 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA17CA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95481/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95481
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17CA147

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

the A321 flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between the aircraft, leading to the inadvertent collision with the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ700. Contributing to the accident was traffic congestion that resulted in the CRJ700 having to stop prior to fully clearing the perpendicular taxiway.

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

the A321 flight crew's incorrect evaluation of the clearance between the aircraft, leading to the inadvertent collision with the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ200. Contributing to the accident was traffic congestion that resulted in the CRJ200 having to stop prior to fully clearing the perpendicular taxiway.

## 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 · Flight crew (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Airbus A321-231, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3940032), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Air traffic/operating proc: traffic congestion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Airbus A321-231, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070/cases.md?model=3940032), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070/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: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1390008), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Air traffic/operating proc: traffic congestion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070/cases.md?model=1390008), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03014070/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: [Airbus A321-231, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=3940032), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1390008), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

On June 30, 2017 at 2130 central daylight time, the wingtip ("sharklet") of an Airbus A321, N991AU, operated by American Airlines flight 1162, contacted the horizontal stabilizer of a Bombardier CRJ200, N862AS, operated by SkyWest Airlines d.b.a. Eagle Flight 3047, during taxi at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The A321 received minor damage and the CRJ200 was substantially damaged. There were no injuries aboard either aircraft. The CRJ200 had landed and taxied to the terminal and had been instructed by air traffic control to follow another aircraft on taxiway A7. Another aircraft ahead stopped unexpectedly and the line of traffic ending with the CRJ200, had to stop. The A321 was taxiing along taxiway A, perpendicular to A7, and maneuvered to go around the protruding tail of the CRJ200. However, the left sharklet wingtip of the A321 contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ200.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

On June 30, 2017 at 2130 central daylight time, the wingtip ("sharklet") of an Airbus A321, N991AU, operated by American Airlines flight 1162, contacted the horizontal stabilizer of a Bombardier CRJ200, N862AS, operated by SkyWest Airlines d.b.a. Eagle Flight 3047, during taxi at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The A321 received minor damage and the CRJ200 was substantially damaged. There were no injuries aboard either aircraft. The CRJ200 had landed and taxied to the terminal and had been instructed by air traffic control to follow another aircraft on taxiway A7. Another aircraft ahead stopped unexpectedly and the line of traffic ending with the CRJ200, had to stop. The A321 was taxiing along taxiway A, perpendicular to A7, and maneuvered to go around the protruding tail of the CRJ200. However, the left sharklet wingtip of the A321 contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ200.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On June 30, 2017 at 2130 central daylight time, the wingtip ("sharklet") of an Airbus A321, N991AU, operated by American Airlines flight 1162, contacted the horizontal stabilizer of a Bombardier CRJ200, N862AS, operated by SkyWest Airlines d.b.a. Eagle Flight 3047, during taxi at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The A321 received minor damage and the CRJ200 was substantially damaged. There were no injuries aboard either aircraft. The CRJ200 had landed and taxied to the terminal and had been instructed by air traffic control to follow another aircraft on taxiway A7. Another aircraft ahead stopped unexpectedly and the line of traffic ending with the CRJ200, had to stop. The A321 was taxiing along taxiway A, perpendicular to A7, and maneuvered to go around the protruding tail of the CRJ200. However, the left sharklet wingtip of the A321 contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ200.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 1)

On June 30, 2017 at 2130 central daylight time, the wingtip ("sharklet") of an Airbus A321, N991AU, operated by American Airlines flight 1162, contacted the horizontal stabilizer of a Bombardier CRJ200, N862AS, operated by SkyWest Airlines d.b.a. Eagle Flight 3047, during taxi at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The A321 received minor damage and the CRJ200 was substantially damaged. There were no injuries aboard either aircraft. The CRJ200 had landed and taxied to the terminal and had been instructed by air traffic control to follow another aircraft on taxiway A7. Another aircraft ahead stopped unexpectedly and the line of traffic ending with the CRJ200, had to stop. The A321 was taxiing along taxiway A, perpendicular to A7, and maneuvered to go around the protruding tail of the CRJ200. However, the left sharklet wingtip of the A321 contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the CRJ200.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N991AU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N991AU), registered now, S/N 7131, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRBUS A321 231 (231)
- Registry model: [Airbus A321-231](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-a321-231) (registry code 3940032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [IAE V2533-A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/iae-v2533-a5) (registry code 34611, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7131
- Year built: 2016
- Engines: IAE V2533-A5 11990 horsepower turbo fan; IAE V2533-A5 11990 horsepower turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: American Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: KORD, Chicago O'Hare Int'l Airpot, IL
- Destination: KLAX, Los Angeles Int'l Airport, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KORD, Chicago O'Hare International A
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N862AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N862AS-2023-03-08), registration cancelled 2023-03-08, S/N 7476, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOMBARDIER INC CL 600 2B19 (100)
- Registry model: [Bombardier CL-600-2B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/bombardier-cl-600-2b19) (registry code 1390008) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [GE CF34 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/ge-cf34-series) (registry code 30015, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7476
- Year built: 2001
- Engines: GE CF34 SERIES 9140 horsepower turbo fan; GE CF34 SERIES 9140 horsepower turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: SkyWest Airlines
- Registered owner: Expressjet Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Departed: KROC, ROCHESTER, NY
- Destination: KORD, CHICAGO, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KORD, Chicago O'Hare International A

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N991AU; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 9, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model
- Co-pilot, aircraft N991AU; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 17, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 6,759 total, 886 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N862AS; age 27; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review June 9, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,147 total, 1,883 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 201 in the last 90 days, 5.5 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N862AS; age 28; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; last flight review June 21, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,910 total, 389 in this make and model, 197 in the last 90 days, 5.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Accident 20170630011212A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170630011212A), Jun 30, 2017: Airbus A-321-231, Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. AA1162 was taxing for departure south bound on taxiway bravo. Ahead of him was inbound SKW3047 holding on alpha 7 short of taxiway alpha. AA1162 veered right…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95481. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - AAL (item 1, .PDF, 608 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460766&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20AAL-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - SKW (item 2, .PDF, 627 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20SKW-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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