DCA18CA165

NTSB accident investigation · Bombardier CL600 2D24 · Queens, NY · May 1, 2018

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
May 1, 2018, 14:53 local (18:53 UTC)
Place
Queens, NY
Injuries
276 uninjured
Phase of flight
Standing
Aircraft
N606LRBombardier CL600 2D24N172DNBoeing 767 332
Defining events
Standing: Ground collisionTaxi: Ground collision
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report July 8, 2020
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Major Investigations Division
Parties
Delta, Endeavor Air
FAA report
20180501010702A
Case key
97158

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

the failure of the captain of Delta 212 to ensure adequate clearance while taxiing behind Endeavor 3413.

Findings · 2

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

N606LR · Bombardier CL600 2D24

Info processing/decision: decision making/judgmentPersonnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraftBombardier CL-600-2D24: 3 casesAll aircraft: 3,098 casesProbable cause

N172DN · Boeing 767 332

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

N606LR · Bombardier CL600 2D24

N172DN · Boeing 767 332

Analysis

On May 1, 2018, at about 2:53 pm EDT, an Endeavor 3413, CRJ900, N606LR, was struck by Delta 212, B767-300ER, N172DN, while awaiting to be marshalled into the gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), Queens, New York. Both flights were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to flight crew statements, both airplanes conducted normal landings and were cleared to taxi to their respective gates. Delta 212 was taxing to gate B30 and following behind Endeavor 3413 as it turned into gate B30. The captain of Endeavor 3413 stated that he had stopped short of the gate to await the ground crew. The captain of Delta 212 indicated that as they approached the airplane, he noticed that the wing walkers had stopped the Endeavor airplane prior to its gate, and so he stopped prior to entering the ramp area. When the Endeavor airplane started to move forward into the gate, he began to slowly taxi behind it, however, the captain indicated that he lost sight of airplane out the right window. He indicated that he turned slight to the left (away from Endeavor 3413) after his first officer advised him to provide additional clearance to ensure adequate separation. After he thought they would be safety clear of the airplane, he then turned back onto the taxiway centerline. As the airplane continued taxiing to the gate, the Delta flight crew heard over ramp control that they had struck Endeavor 3413. After parking, both airplanes were inspected and it was found that Delta 212's right winglet sustained minor damage and Endeavor 3413 sustained substantial damage to its horizontal and vertical stabilizer.

Factual narrative

On May 1, 2018, at about 2:53 pm EDT, an Endeavor 3413, CRJ900, N606LR, was struck by Delta 212, B767-300ER, N172DN, while awaiting to be marshalled into the gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK), Queens, New York. Both flights were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to flight crew statements, both airplanes conducted normal landings and were cleared to taxi to their respective gates. Delta 212 was taxing to gate B30 and following behind Endeavor 3413 as it turned into gate B30. The captain of Endeavor 3413 stated that he had stopped short of the gate to await the ground crew. The captain of Delta 212 indicated that as they approached the airplane, he noticed that the wing walkers had stopped the Endeavor airplane prior to its gate, and so he stopped prior to entering the ramp area. When the Endeavor airplane started to move forward into the gate, he began to slowly taxi behind it, however, the captain indicated that he lost sight of airplane out the right window. He indicated that he turned slight to the left (away from Endeavor 3413) after his first officer advised him to provide additional clearance to ensure adequate separation. After he thought they would be safety clear of the airplane, he then turned back onto the taxiway centerline. As the airplane continued taxiing to the gate, the Delta flight crew heard over ramp control that they had struck Endeavor 3413. After parking, both airplanes were inspected and it was found that Delta 212's right winglet sustained minor damage and Endeavor 3413 sustained substantial damage to its horizontal and vertical stabilizer.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N606LR
Reported as
Bombardier CL600 2D24 (900)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
15173
Built
2008
Airframe hours
24,222
Engines
GE CF34-8C5, turbo fanGE CF34-8C5, turbo fan
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Part 121
Operator
Endeavor Air
Registered owner
Delta Air Lines Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Transport
Destination
JFK · Queens, NY
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
JFK · John F Kennedy Intl
Equipment
Stall warning system, Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Registration
N172DN
Reported as
Boeing 767 332 (332)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
24775
Built
1990
Airframe hours
123,372
Engines
Pratt & Whitney 4060-3, turbo jetPratt & Whitney 4060-3, turbo jet
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Part 121
Operator
Delta Air Lines
Registered owner
Delta Air Lines Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Transport
Departed
LFMN · Nice
Destination
KJFK · New York, NY
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
JFK · John F Kennedy Intl
Equipment
Angle of attack indicator, 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

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
200° at 15 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Temperature
73 °F, dew point 34 °F
Altimeter
30.04 inHg
Observed at
KJFK

Docket · 8

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.5 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.