# NTSB DCA19CA105: Boeing 737, N3756, Atlanta, GA, March 11, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 10, 2019, 21:17 local (Mar 11, 2019, 02:17 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA · KATL
- Coordinates: 33.640288, -84.427529 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6403&lon=-84.4275&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 397 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA19CA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99088/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99088
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA19CA105

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

failure of the B737 captain to maintain separation with the airplane stopped on the taxiway.

## Findings

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

- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 737-832, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=13844CF), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)
- [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 757-351, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=1384991), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi-from 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)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 757-351, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1384991), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

On March 10, 2019, at 2117 eastern daylight time, Delta Airlines flight 1068, a Boeing 737 (B737), N3756, collided with Delta Airlines flight 2777, a Boeing 757 (B757), N591NW while taxiing along taxiway B at the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (KATL), Atlanta, Georgia. There were no injuries to the passengers and crew onboard either airplane, and the B757 was substantially damaged. Both aircraft were operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as regularly scheduled passenger flights. The B757 had landed on runway 26R and was holding short of runway 26L at taxiway B2, awaiting clearance to cross the runway and taxi to the ramp. The B737 had landed following the B757 and was cleared to taxi along taxiway B to the Victor Loop. When approaching B2 on B, the B737 crew reported taxiing to the right of centerline to provide clearance with the B757 tail on their left. The B737 left wingtip contacted the B757 tail resulting in a light shudder on both aircraft. The B757 crew reported on ground frequency that they had been hit and the B737 crew acknowledged they may have hit them when passing along taxiway B. The B757 remained on the taxiway until maintenance had evaluated the damage, then taxied to the gate and deplaned. The B737 continued taxiing to the gate and deplaned. Post-accident inspection revealed substantial damage to the right elevator of the B757 and minor damage to the left winglet of the B737.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N3756](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3756), registered now, S/N 30493, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 737 (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: 30493
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 59207
- Engines: Cfm Intl. CFM56 SERIES 26000 lbs thrust turbo fan; Cfm Intl. CFM56 SERIES 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, March 7, 2019
- Departed: KMCI, Kansas City, MO
- Destination: KATL, Atlanta, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KATL, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, runway 26R, 9,000 × 150 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Heads up display, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Data recorder, Auto-pilot

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N591NW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N591NW), registered now, S/N 32991, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing 757 (351)
- Registry model: [Boeing 757-351](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-757-351) (registry code 1384991) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW2040](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw2040) (registry code 52121, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32991
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 56451
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PW2040 18150 horsepower turbo fan; Pratt & Whitney PW2040 41700 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 10, 2019
- Departed: KSEA, Seattle, WA
- Destination: KATL, Atlanta, GA
- Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Data recorder, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N3756; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review September 21, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 11,497 total, 3,083 in this make and model, 1,634 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N3756; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review June 28, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 2,042 total, 922 in this make and model, 71 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N591NW; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review January 21, 2019; seat: left; flight hours: 14,055 total, 9,390 in this make and model, 4,877 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Co-pilot, aircraft N591NW; age 58; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review November 24, 2018; seat: right; flight hours: 4,777 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 0 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: KATL

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99088. 4.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - N591NW (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16921679&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N591NW_%206120%20Form_redacted_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- N591NW flight crew statements (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16921669&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N591NW%20Flight%20Crew%20Statements_redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - N3756 (item 3, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16922028&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N3756%20_6120%20Form_redacted_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- N3756 flight crew statements (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16922188&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N3756_Flight%20Crew%20Statements_redacted-Rel.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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