# NTSB ERA10LA299: Airbus Industrie A330-323, N277AY, Charlotte, NC, June 5, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 5, 2010, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Charlotte, NC - Coordinates: 35.213611, -80.94889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2136&lon=-80.9489&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); [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 454 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 7, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: US Airways, FAA/FSDO, US Airways Pilots Association - NTSB case key (mKey): 76224 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76224/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76224 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA299 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The Airbus A330 flight crew's failure to maintain clearance from a standing airplane while taxiing. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The Airbus A330 flight crew's failure to maintain clearance from a standing airplane while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Flight crew (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A330-323, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=3930335), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Flight crew (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Airbus Industrie A330-323, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=3930335), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Perception/orientation/illusion: perception](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Airbus A321-231, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/cases.md?model=3940032), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02022040/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: [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) ## 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: [Airbus Industrie A330-323, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=3930335), [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: [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) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) An Airbus A330 was standing on a taxiway behind other aircraft holding for re-routes due to weather. An air traffic controller asked the flight crew if they could depart off of a different runway and the crew accepted the clearance. The A330 then had to make a left turn onto a different taxiway and the captain asked the first officer if there was adequate clearance from their right wing tip to the tail of the standing A321 ahead. The first officer replied that there was adequate clearance and continued with preparing for takeoff. The flight crew subsequently felt a jolt as the right wing tip of the A330 contacted the rudder of the A321, resulting in minor damage to the wing tip of the A330 and substantial damage to the rudder of the A321. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) An Airbus A330 was standing on taxiway behind other aircraft holding for re-routes due to weather. An air traffic controller asked the flight crew if they could depart off of a different runway and the crew accepted the clearance. The A330 then had to make a left turn onto a different taxiway and the captain asked the first officer if there was adequate clearance from their right wing tip to the tail of the standing A321 ahead. The first officer replied that there was adequate clearance and continued with preparing for takeoff. The flight crew subsequently felt a jolt as the right wing tip of the A330 contacted the rudder of the A321, resulting in minor damage to the wing tip of the A330 and substantial damage to the rudder of the A321. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On June 5, 2010, about 1720 eastern daylight time, an Airbus A330-323, N277AY, collided with a standing Airbus A321-231, N508AY, during taxi to a runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. The A330 sustained minor damage, the A321 sustained substantial damage, and there were no injuries to the occupants of either airplane. Both airplanes were operated by US Airways Inc. as flights 704 and 413, respectively. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and instrument flight rules flight plans were filed for both scheduled passenger flights, which were conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. The captain of the A330 stated, "…Holding on taxiway E at approximately number 5 for takeoff [from runway 18C] behind other aircraft who were receiving re-routes for weather affecting westbound departures. Tower asked if we could depart from runway 18C from taxiway E10 intersection (18CX). Received new weight/balance numbers for 18CX departure. While turning onto taxiway E10, right wingtip contacted tail of aircraft holding ahead of us on taxiway E…" The first officer of the A330 stated, "…while in line for departure, we were cleared on to the runway via taxiway E-10. As we made the turn, the right wingtip contacted a US Airways aircraft holding on taxiway E in front of us…" According to the Director of Flight Safety at US Airways, as the A330 was cleared to take off on runway 18C from taxiway E10, it had to make a left turn from taxiway E on to E10. The captain asked the first officer if there was adequate clearance from their right wing tip, to the tail of the standing A321 ahead. The first officer replied affirmative and continued with preparing for takeoff. The flight crew subsequently felt a jolt as the right wing tip of the A330 contacted the rudder of the A321. The impact resulted in minor damage to the wing tip of the A330 and substantial damage to the rudder of the A321. The recorded weather at 1752 included few clouds at 2,200 feet and visibility 10 miles. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On June 5, 2010, about 1720 eastern daylight time, an Airbus A330-323, N277AY, collided with a standing Airbus A321-231, N508AY, during taxi to a runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Charlotte, North Carolina. The A330 sustained minor damage, the A321 sustained substantial damage, and there were no injuries to the occupants of either airplane. Both airplanes were operated by US Airways Inc. as flights 704 and 413, respectively. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and instrument flight rules flight plans were filed for both scheduled passenger flights, which were conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121. The captain of the A330 stated, "…Holding on taxiway E at approximately number 5 for takeoff [from runway 18C] behind other aircraft who were receiving re-routes for weather affecting westbound departures. Tower asked if we could depart from runway 18C from taxiway E10 intersection (18CX). Received new weight/balance numbers for 18CX departure. While turning onto taxiway E10, right wingtip contacted tail of aircraft holding ahead of us on taxiway E…" The first officer of the A330 stated, "…while in line for departure, we were cleared on to the runway via taxiway E-10. As we made the turn, the right wingtip contacted a US Airways aircraft holding on taxiway E in front of us…" According to the Director of Flight Safety at US Airways, as the A330 was cleared to take off on runway 18C from taxiway E10, it had to make a left turn from taxiway E on to E10. The captain asked the first officer if there was adequate clearance from their right wing tip, to the tail of the standing A321 ahead. The first officer replied affirmative and continued with preparing for takeoff. The flight crew subsequently felt a jolt as the right wing tip of the A330 contacted the rudder of the A321. The impact resulted in minor damage to the wing tip of the A330 and substantial damage to the rudder of the A321. The recorded weather at 1752 included few clouds at 2,200 feet and visibility 10 miles. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N277AY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N277AY-2023-04-08), registration cancelled 2023-04-08, S/N 0380, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-323 - Registry model: [Airbus Industrie A330-323](https://openairdocs.org/model/airbus-industrie-a330-323) (registry code 3930335) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PW4158](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pw4158) (registry code 52061, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0380 - Engines: P&W PW4168A 68000 lbs thrust turbo fan; P&W PW4168A 68000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: US Airways Inc - Registered owner: US Airways Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Departed: CLT, Charlotte, NC - Destination: Frankfurt - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CLT, Charlotte/Douglas Internationa ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N508AY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N508AY), registered now, S/N 3740, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRBUS A321-231 - 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: 3740 - Airframe hours: 6077 - Engines: IAE V2533-A5 33000 lbs thrust turbo fan; IAE V2533-A5 33000 lbs thrust turbo fan - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 121 - Operator: US Airways Inc - Registered owner: US Airways Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport - Last inspection: AAIP, June 5, 2010 - Departed: CLT, Charlotte, NC - Destination: SFO, San Francisco, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: CLT, Charlotte/Douglas Internationa ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N277AY; age 61; injuries: none; flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 3, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 21,619 total, 880 in this make and model, 36 in the last 90 days - Co-pilot, aircraft N277AY; age 51; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 24, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 17,376 total, 3,034 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N508AY; age 56; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 18, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 13,000 in this make and model, 198 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot, aircraft N508AY; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 10,000 total, 4,200 in this make and model, 118 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 14,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: CLT ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100605036772A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100605036772A), Jun 5, 2010: Airbus Indu A330-323, Charlotte, NC, Minor damage. Aircraft was in line taxiway e, short of taxiway E10, for departure 18C . Clt tower asked if able to depart from taxiway E10, the crew replied that runway… - [Accident 20100605036762A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100605036762A), Jun 5, 2010: Airbus A321-231, Charlotte, NC, Substantial damage. Aircraft was stopped with parking brake set. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76224. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (A330) (item 1, .PDF, 451 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335116&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(A330)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (A321) (item 2, .PDF, 434 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335210&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(A321)-Redacted.PDF - Airport Diagram (item 3, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335118&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Diagram-Master.PDF - Weather Report (item 4, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335119&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 5, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335120&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Photo - Damage to A330 Right Winglet (Courtesy of US Airways) (item 6, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335199&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Damage%20to%20A330%20Right%20Winglet%20(Courtesy%20of%20US%20Airways)-Master.PDF - Photo - Damage to A321 Rudder (Courtesy of US Airways) (item 7, .PDF, 203 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20-%20Damage%20to%20A321%20Rudder%20(Courtesy%20of%20US%20Airways)-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.