# NTSB ERA11CA296: Boeing 737-732, N308DE, Atlanta, GA, May 12, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 12, 2011, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.636665, -84.428054
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6367&lon=-84.4281&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 298 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 23, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: Delta Airlines, FAA Delta CMO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA296
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/79093/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79093
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA296

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The B737-700 pilot did not maintain adequate wing tip clearance while taxiing around the stopped B-737-800.

## Findings

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

- [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 737-732, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=1384541), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md)
- [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing 737-832, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=13844CF), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing 737-732, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1384541), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; 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)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The captain of a B737-800 had taxied to the entry of the assigned parking ramp where he stopped and waited for the ground crew to clear the parking area, post wing walkers, and give him the signal to park. The captain of a B737-700, which was following the B737-800, requested, through the ramp controller, that the stopped airplane move forward so that his airplane could pass. The B737-800 taxied forward and stopped again. The captain of the B737-700 then attempted to pass the B737-800, and the left winglet struck the B737-800’s right elevator, substantially damaging it.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

The captain of the Boeing B737-700 reported that he was cleared to follow a company B737-800 to the ramp. The B737-800 captain reported that he was cleared to gate E3, however he needed to hold his position near gate E1 so that ramp personnel could prepare the gate for arrival. The captain of the B737-700 realized that his airplane was blocking the taxiway at the entry to the ramp, so he relayed a request through ramp tower to have the B737-800 move forward. Ramp tower relayed the request, and the captain of the B737-800 reportedly moved forward about 20 to 30 feet. The captain of the B737-700 began to taxi around the right side of the B737-800, but reported that the B737-800 did not taxi forward as far as he expected. The captain of the B-737-700 was concerned with the clearance between his left wingtip and the tail and the right wingtip of the B737-800. While shifting his attention between his wingtip and the B-737-800, he felt the shudder as the upper part of B737-700 left winglet contacted the outer part of the B737-800 right elevator. Substantial damage occurred to the right elevator of the B737-800.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N308DE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N308DE-2023-01-03), registration cancelled 2023-01-03, S/N 29656 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 737-732
- Registry model: [Boeing 737-732](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-737-732) (registry code 1384541) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [CFM International CFM56-7B26/3 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cfm-international-cfm56-7b26-3-series) (registry code 13073, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29656
- Airframe hours: 5497
- Engines: CFM International CFM56-7826/3 26000 lbs thrust turbo fan; CFM International CFM56-7826/3 26000 lbs thrust turbo fan
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Airlines Inc
- Registered owner: Delta Airlines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 10, 2011
- Departed: TGU, Tegucigalpa
- Destination: ATL, Atlanta, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ATL, Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N378DA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N378DA), registered now, S/N 30265, built 1999 (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: 30265
- Airframe hours: 36281
- Engines: CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES 2200 horsepower turbo jet; CFM INTL. CFM56 SERIES 2200 horsepower turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 121
- Operator: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Registered owner: Delta Air Lines Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: AAIP, May 10, 2011
- Departed: SDQ, Santo Domingo
- Destination: ATL, Atlanta, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ATL, Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N308DE; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review November 2, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 14,406 total, 4,841 in this make and model, 208 in the last 90 days
- Co-pilot, aircraft N308DE; age 52; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review October 5, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 6,428 total, 2,589 in this make and model, 191 in the last 90 days
- Pilot, aircraft N378DA; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review October 13, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 15,230 total, 7,438 in this make and model, 179 in the last 90 days
- Co-pilot, aircraft N378DA; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; last flight review October 16, 2010; seat: right; flight hours: 11,082 total, 4,351 in this make and model, 232 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: ATL

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20110512030362I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110512030362I), May 12, 2011: Boeing 737-832, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. None

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 29, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=79093. 8.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350846&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350847&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; FO Statement (item 3, .PDF, 21 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350848&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20FO%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1B (item 4, .PDF, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350851&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1B-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; Pilot Statement B (item 5, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20Pilot%20Statement%20B-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports; FO Statement B (item 6, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350853&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports;%20FO%20Statement%20B-Redacted.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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