# NTSB DCA17CA181: Boeing 737 832, N377DA, Queens, NY, August 15, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2017, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Queens, NY
- Coordinates: 40.647777, -73.765556
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6478&lon=-73.7656&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); [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 295 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 8, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 95831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA17CA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95831/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95831
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17CA181

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

the Delta B737 captain's failure to maintain proper clearance between his airplane and the stopped American B757.

## 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 · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 737-832, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=13844CF), [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 757-223, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1384957), [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-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 737-832, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=13844CF), [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 757-223, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1384957), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

On August 15, 2017, at approximately 6:15 PM EDT, American Airlines flight 290, a Boeing B757, N175AN, was stationary awaiting takeoff clearance when it was struck by Delta Air Lines flight 2503, a Boeing B737-800, N377DA, as it was taxiing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), Queens, New York. There were no injuries to the 129 passengers and crew onboard the B757, nor to the 166 passengers and crew onboard the B737. The American Airlines B757 sustained substantial damage and the Delta Air Lines B737 sustained minor damage. Both airplanes were operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. According to flight crew statements, the American Airlines B757 taxied down taxiway C and turned onto taxiway FB where it stopped short of runway 22R and was awaiting takeoff clearance. The Delta B737 followed the American B757 down taxiway C and was then instructed to taxi behind the American B757 and to continue to taxiway E. The Delta captain stated he steered slightly to the right of the taxiway centerline to keep clear of the stopped American B757. He then steered back towards the centerline once he thought his left winglet had cleared the American B757s tail when he felt a bump. After stopping, emergency personnel inspected both airplanes and indicated that Delta's left winglet had contacted the American B757 right horizontal stabilizer, resulting in substantial damage to the elevator. Both aircraft taxied back to their respective gates under their own power and passengers deplaned normally.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On August 15, 2017, at approximately 6:15 PM EDT, American Airlines flight 290, a Boeing B757, N175AN, was stationary awaiting takeoff clearance when it was struck by Delta Air Lines flight 2503, a Boeing B737-800, N377DA, as it was taxiing at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), Queens, New York. There were no injuries to the 129 passengers and crew onboard the B757, nor to the 166 passengers and crew onboard the B737. The American Airlines B757 sustained substantial damage and the Delta Air Lines B737 sustained minor damage. Both airplanes were operating under 14 CFR Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. According to flight crew statements, the American Airlines B757 taxied down taxiway C and turned onto taxiway FB where it stopped short of runway 22R and was awaiting takeoff clearance. The Delta B737 followed the American B757 down taxiway C and was then instructed to taxi behind the American B757 and to continue to taxiway E. The Delta captain stated he steered slightly to the right of the taxiway centerline to keep clear of the stopped American B757. He then steered back towards the centerline once he thought his left winglet had cleared the American B757s tail when he felt a bump. After stopping, emergency personnel inspected both airplanes and indicated that Delta's left winglet had contacted the American B757 right horizontal stabilizer, resulting in substantial damage to the elevator. Both aircraft taxied back to their respective gates under their own power and passengers deplaned normally.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N377DA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N377DA), registered now, S/N 29625, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737 832 (832)
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-832](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-832) (registry code 13844CF) (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: 29625
- Year built: 1999
- Airframe hours: 57611.59
- Engines: General Electric CFM56-7B26 26000 lbs thrust turbo fan; General Electric CFM56-7B26 26000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 14, 2017
- Departed: JFK, Queens, NY
- Destination: SEA, Seattle, WA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JFK, John F Kennedy Intl
- Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Heads up display, Stall warning system

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N175AN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N175AN-2026-03-17), registration cancelled 2026-03-17, S/N 32394, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 757 (223)
- Registry model: [Boeing 757-223](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-223) (registry code 1384957) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rolls-Royce RB-211 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rolls-royce-rb-211-series) (registry code 54555, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32394
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 50926
- Engines: Rolls-Royc RB.211 SERIES turbo fan; Rolls-Royc RB.211 SERIES turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: American Airlines
- Registered owner: American Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, August 11, 2017
- Departed: JFK, Queens, NY
- Destination: DUB, Dublin
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JFK, John F Kennedy Intl
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N377DA; age 54; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review January 6, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 15,043 total, 2,516 in this make and model, 2,184 as pilot in command
- Co-pilot, aircraft N377DA; age 41; injuries: none; airline transport, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review June 5, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 755 total, 755 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 117 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N175AN; age 56; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 4,161 in this make and model
- Pilot, aircraft N175AN; age 55; injuries: none; flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 13,255 total, 5,696 in this make and model, 8,801 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 4 knots

## 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 20170815020672A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170815020672A), Aug 15, 2017: Boeing 737-832, Queens, NY, Substantial damage. American airlines flight 290 turned off east bound taxiway charlie ("c") onto north bound taxiway delta bravo (?db?). While American airlines flight 290 was on…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 13, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95831. 1.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N377DA (item 1, .PDF, 487 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486128&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N377DA-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - N175AN (item 2, .PDF, 486 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486129&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20N175AN-Master.PDF
- Flightcrew Statements - Captain (item 3, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486130&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flightcrew%20Statements%20-%20Captain-Master.PDF
- Figthcrew Statements - First Officer (item 4, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Figthcrew%20Statements%20-%20First%20Officer-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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