# NTSB DCA17CA195: Boeing 737-924ER, N69813, Los Angeles, CA, September 12, 2017

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2017, 13:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Los Angeles, CA
- Location: 33.9425° N, 118.4080° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LOS ANGELES INTL (LAX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB coordinates: 33, -118 (estimated), outside the stated state
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9425&lon=-118.4080&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); [Pushback/tow-engine oper: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 140 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 96000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA17CA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96000/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96000
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA17CA195

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

the B737 flight crew's misjudgment of the clearance between their wingtip and the B767 horizontal stabilizer.

## 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: [Boeing 737-924ER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=13848A3), [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: [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 737-924ER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=13848A3), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Pushback/tow-engine oper: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

On September 12, 2017, at 1310 pacific daylight time, United Airlines flight 447, a Boeing 737, N69813, collided with Air Canada flight 785, a Boeing 767, C-GHOZ, while taxiing on taxiway C near gate 69B at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, California. Both aircraft were regularly scheduled passenger flights and there were no injuries aboard either airplane. The right winglet of the B737 had minor damage and the right horizontal stabilizer of the B767 was substantially damaged. The B767 was being marshaled onto gate 69B and was instructed to stop approximately 15 feet short of the stop line because it is normally a tow-in gate. The flight crew shut down the engines and awaited the ground crew to hook up the tow bar. There are white lines painted around each gate area to aid ground vehicles driving on the ramp. The B767 tail protruded beyond the white lines perpendicular to, and adjacent to, taxiway C. The B737 was taxiing out for departure via taxiway C in accordance with ATC instructions. The captain reported that he saw the B767 and maneuvered left of centerline for more clearance. He asked the first officer (FO), who was heads down making FMS entries, to look and verify if they had enough clearance. The FO reported he saw that the B767 was hooked up to the tug but wasn't sure if it was being towed. He judged that there was about 5 feet of clearance. He said he saw no action by the marshallers indicating they thought the airplanes were too close. As the airplane continued taxiing, the right winglet of the B737 contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the B767. The flight crew reported that they did not feel an impact but were told by ATC that the collision had occurred. The B737 returned to the gate and deplaned passengers normally. The B767 was towed into the gate and deplaned passengers normally. Surveillance video from Gate 69B was obtained and captured the event. The B737 nosewheel was tracking along the yellow centerline of taxiway C.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On September 12, 2017, at 1310 pacific daylight time, United Airlines flight 447, a Boeing 737, N69813, collided with Air Canada flight 785, a Boeing 767, C-GHOZ, while taxiing on taxiway C near gate 69B at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles, California. Both aircraft were regularly scheduled passenger flights and there were no injuries aboard either airplane. The right winglet of the B737 had minor damage and the right horizontal stabilizer of the B767 was substantially damaged. The B767 was being marshaled onto gate 69B and was instructed to stop approximately 15 feet short of the stop line because it is normally a tow-in gate. The flight crew shut down the engines and awaited the ground crew to hook up the tow bar. There are white lines painted around each gate area to aid ground vehicles driving on the ramp. The B767 tail protruded beyond the white lines perpendicular to, and adjacent to, taxiway C. The B737 was taxiing out for departure via taxiway C in accordance with ATC instructions. The captain reported that he saw the B767 and maneuvered left of centerline for more clearance. He asked the first officer (FO), who was heads down making FMS entries, to look and verify if they had enough clearance. The FO reported he saw that the B767 was hooked up to the tug but wasn't sure if it was being towed. He judged that there was about 5 feet of clearance. He said he saw no action by the marshallers indicating they thought the airplanes were too close. As the airplane continued taxiing, the right winglet of the B737 contacted the horizontal stabilizer of the B767. The flight crew reported that they did not feel an impact but were told by ATC that the collision had occurred. The B737 returned to the gate and deplaned passengers normally. The B767 was towed into the gate and deplaned passengers normally. Surveillance video from Gate 69B was obtained and captured the event. The B737 nosewheel was tracking along the yellow centerline of taxiway C.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N69813](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N69813), registered now, S/N 43531, built 2014 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-924ER (924)
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-924ER](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-924er) (registry code 13848A3) (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: 43531
- Year built: 2014
- Airframe hours: 13045
- Engines: CFM INTL CFM56-7B27E; CFM INTL CFM56-7B27E
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: United Airlines
- Registered owner: United Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: August 28, 2017
- Departed: LAX, Los Angeles, CA
- Destination: SFO, San Francisco, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAX, Los Angeles International Airp
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Data recorder, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: C-GHOZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 767-375 (375)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24087
- Year built: 1989
- Airframe hours: 120691.5
- Engines: ; 
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 129
- Operator: Air Canada
- Registered owner: Air Canada
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: August 23, 2017
- Departed: CYYZ, Toronto
- Destination: LAX, Los Angeles, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: LAX, Los Angeles International Airp
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Angle of attack indicator

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N69813; age 47; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; last flight review March 18, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 25,000 total, 2,760 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days
- Co-pilot, aircraft N69813; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; last flight review April 18, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 8,100 total, 1,320 in this make and model, 220 in the last 90 days
- Pilot, aircraft 2; age 63; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 24, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 15,343 total, 7,758 in this make and model, 7,758 as pilot in command, 186.6 in the last 90 days, 72.3 in the last 30 days, 5.8 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft 2; age 47; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 3, 2017; seat: right; flight hours: 6,865 total, 3,473.5 in this make and model, 3,385 as pilot in command, 87.1 in the last 90 days, 51.3 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 20170912019322A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170912019322A), Sep 12, 2017: Boeing 737-924ER, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. Ual 447 while taxiing westbound on twy c, struck the right horizontal stabilizer of an air Canada B-767 with its right winglet, as it was being towed onto gate…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96000. 7.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - ACA (item 1, .PDF, 602 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20ACA-Master.PDF
- Air Canada 6120 Supplement (item 2, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460759&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Air%20Canada%206120%20Supplement-Master.PDF
- Video File - surveillance cam (item 3, MP4, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460760&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Video%20File%20-%20surveillance%20cam-Master
- Gate 69B Video (Shelf Item) (item 4, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Gate%2069B%20Video%20(Shelf%20Item)-Master.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - United (item 5, .PDF, 602 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20United-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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